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Illiberal economic institutions and racial intolerance in the United States

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  • Walker Wright

Abstract

This article presents the history of anti‐black racism in the United States as a case study of the interrelation between economic institutions and racial (in)tolerance. It begins by reviewing the current social science on the topic of economic systems and tolerance. It then moves from the history of slavery through Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era to the Civil Rights movement, demonstrating that government intervention in the economy helped maintain a racial hierarchy and solidify racist attitudes. The article concludes by arguing that liberal economic institutions are a means of dissolving segregated racial orders and creating more tolerant, integrated ones.

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  • Walker Wright, 2022. "Illiberal economic institutions and racial intolerance in the United States," Economic Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(2), pages 307-326, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecaffa:v:42:y:2022:i:2:p:307-326
    DOI: 10.1111/ecaf.12520
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