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Public Policy and Employment Discrimination in the U.S

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  • Richard B. Freeman

Abstract

This paper examines evidence on employment practices in the U.S. with respect to race and the impact of governmental anti-bias activity on these practices. It shows a striking difference in the responses of American employers to job applications differing in race from the responses of British employers and asks whether these differences can be attributed to the greater U.S. effort to aid minority workers. It reviews the recent research by Jonathan Leonard on the effect of court suits and affirmative action compliance activity and concludes that much of the improved status of minorities in the U.S. is indeed due to governmental activity and public policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard B. Freeman, 1982. "Public Policy and Employment Discrimination in the U.S," NBER Working Papers 0928, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:0928
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Becker, Gary S., 1971. "The Economics of Discrimination," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 2, number 9780226041162, Febrero.
    2. Richard Butler & James J. Heckman, 1977. "The Government's Impact on the Labor Market Status of Black Americans: A Critical Review," NBER Working Papers 0183, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Charles Brown, 1981. "The Federal Attack on Labor Market Discrimination: The Mouse that Roared?," NBER Working Papers 0669, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Kenneth Arrow, 1971. "The Theory of Discrimination," Working Papers 403, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
    5. Orley Ashenfelter & James J. Heckman, 1974. "Measuring the Effect of an Anti-Discrimination Program," NBER Working Papers 0050, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Michael Firth, 1981. "Racial Discrimination in the British Labor Market," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 34(2), pages 265-272, January.
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