Authors: William A. Darity and Isabel Ruiz
Journal: Oxford Review of Economic Policy
Abstract: Disparities across social identity groups (such as race, caste, and ethnicity) are a global phenomenon, where significant differences in wealth and other socioeconomic outcomes are observed. Although the contexts and historical roots of these differences vary by country, there are common factors—particularly arising at the intersection of social identity and social class—that help explain the persistence of these inequalities. This issue of the Oxford Review of Economic Policy examines various dimensions of inequality tied to intergroup disparities and social hierarchy, drawing insights from policy responses across different contexts, countries, and regions. The article introduces stratification economics as a framework to understand these shared global patterns. It further reviews the papers published in the issue that explore topics such as social mobility, labour market discrimination, social exclusion, the role of artificial intelligence, the challenges associated with the interpretation and application of the law, the importance of data collection, and the role of existing and potential policy interventions (e.g. affirmative action and reparations) to address these persistent inequalities.
Discussion
This edition of the Oxford Review of Economic Policy delves into caste, class, race, and inequality, offering key insights for the design of economic policies to address disparities in economic outcomes across social identity groups. It uses the framework of stratification economics as a foundational lens essential for understanding the perpetuation of social divisions. This approach emphasizes how historical and group-based advantages, particularly those linked to race, caste, or ethnicity, sustain unequal economic outcomes. These dynamics, rooted in inherited power structures, manifest in varied ways across different countries and regions, dictating the shape of global inequality.
Although not all contributions to this issue are explicitly connected to stratification economics, their insights align with its principles. The articles collectively emphasize that inequality cannot be fully understood without considering the intersection of social identity (race, caste, ethnicity) and economic class, or what sociologist Imari Smith refers to as ‘concurrent identities’. Addressing disparities requires policies that focus on the specific disadvantages experienced by marginalized groups. Additionally, the issue highlights the necessity of comprehensive data collection on race, ethnicity, and caste. Countries like France, which follow ‘colour-blind’ policies, may unintentionally perpetuate inequality by failing to gather the data necessary for targeted interventions aimed at resolving historically entrenched disparities.
Citation: William A Darity, Isabel Ruiz, Caste, class, race, and inequality: insights for economic policy, Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Volume 40, Issue 3, Autumn 2024, Pages 443–461, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxrep/grae038
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