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Labor Mobility and Racial Discrimination

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  • Pierre Deschamps

    (Département d'économie)

  • José de Sousa

    (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne)

Abstract

This paper assesses the impact of labor mobility on racial discrimination. We present an equilibrium search model that reveals an inverted U-shaped relationship between labor mobility and race-based wage differentials. We explore this relationship empirically with an exogenous mobility shock on the European soccer labor market. The Bosman ruling by the European Court of Justice in 1995 lifted restrictions on soccer player mobility. Using a panel of all clubs in the English first division from 1981 to 2008, we compare the pre- and post-Bosman ruling market to identify the causal effect of intensified mobility on race-based wage differentials. Consistent with a taste-based explanation, we find evidence that increasing labor market mobility decreases racial discrimination.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierre Deschamps & José de Sousa, 2014. "Labor Mobility and Racial Discrimination," Sciences Po publications 35, Sciences Po.
    • Handle: RePEc:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/6ftmcu468j8a49bft2hrpi6uql
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    Cited by:

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    5. Dalmazzo, Alberto & Leombruni, Roberto & Razzolini, Tiziano, 2023. "Anticipation Effects of EU Accession on Immigrants' Labour Market Outcomes," IZA Discussion Papers 16614, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Labor market; discrimination; discrimination; mobility; soccer; football; mobilité; marché du travail; equilibrium search model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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