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The divide-and-conquer and employer/employee models of discrimination: neoclassical competition as a familial defect

Author

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  • Mason, Patrick L.

Abstract

This article is an examination of the similarities between Michael Reich’s divide-and-conquer model of discrimination and the Becker-Arrow taste model of discrimination. It shows that Reich’s model of discrimination is analytically identical to Arrow’s employer discrimination model when employer utility is a function of total profits and the racial employment ratio. It also shows that the Becker-Arrow distinction between employer and employee discrimination is invalid. Finally, the author argues that neoclassical competition is the major defect of both models. After discussing the implications of these results the article points to new directions in the literature on the economics of discrimination.

Suggested Citation

  • Mason, Patrick L., 1992. "The divide-and-conquer and employer/employee models of discrimination: neoclassical competition as a familial defect," MPRA Paper 11333, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:11333
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Roemer, 1981. "Reply to England and Greene," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 12(4), pages 75-75, January.
    2. J.E. Roemer & John Roemer, 1978. "Differentially Exploited Labor: A Marxian Theory of Discrimination," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 10(2), pages 43-53, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. William M. Rodgers III, 1997. "Male Sub-metropolitan Black-White Wage Gaps: New Evidence for the 1980s," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 34(8), pages 1201-1213, July.
    2. Patrick L. Mason, 1993. "Accumulation, Segmentation and the Discriminatory Process in the Market for Labor Power," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 25(2), pages 1-25, June.
    3. Mason, Patrick L., 1993. "Variable labor effort, involuntary unemployment, and effective demand," MPRA Paper 11331, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    JEL classification:

    • J7 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination

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