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Racial Self-Classification, Group Consciousness, and Public Employment Representation

Author

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  • Diogo Baerlocher

    (Department of Economics, University of South Florida)

  • Rodrigo Schneider

    (Department of Economics, Skidmore College)

Abstract

This paper examines how racial identity misrepresentation influences public sector hiring in Brazil. We focus on misaligned white candidates — those who self-identify as white but are unlikely to be classified as such by facial recognition — and exploit close electoral races using a regression discontinuity design. Narrow victories by these candidates reduce the share of nonwhite hires in municipal legislative offices by approximately 20%, with effects concentrated in temporary and managerial positions. We also find a significant decline in nonwhite leadership in municipal secretariats. These results indicate that misaligned whiteness shapes racial representation through political and bureaucratic channels.

Suggested Citation

  • Diogo Baerlocher & Rodrigo Schneider, 2025. "Racial Self-Classification, Group Consciousness, and Public Employment Representation," Working Papers 2025-04, University of South Florida, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:usf:wpaper:2025-04
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • H83 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Public Administration

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