CHAPTER 22
Economics of Racial and Gender Discrimination
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Explain how membership in either the dominant social and economic group or
nondominant group impacts economic opportunities and outcomes.
OUTLINE OF CHAPTER
I. Discrimination: Differences Matter
II. The Ideology of ISMS
III. Discrimination against African Americans
KEY TERMS
discrimination
the adverse treatment of an individual based on group membership instead of individual
productivity
–isms
ANSWERS TO END OF CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS
Explain how membership in either the dominant social and economic group or
nondominant group impacts economic opportunities and outcomes.
1. Why do members of dominant social groups have greater opportunities? Give two
specific examples of this phenomenon.
Members of the dominant group have greater access to resources and the power to build
2. How does a dominant group protect its status?
3. Give a contemporary example of one group using another group as a scapegoat for a
4. Define and explain what is meant by stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination.
A stereotype is a standardized, oversimplified image of a particular group. Prejudice is
Describe how the –isms, such as racism, sexism, and classism, are developed and
maintained.
5. What
–
6. What are the different ideas that reinforce the discrimination of African Americans?
7. List two stereotypes each about African Americans, women, and the poor? What is a
shared shortcoming of all of these stereotypes?
8. Briefly recount the differences in median incomes among whites, blacks, Hispanics, and
Asians. Briefly describe the differences in median wealth for these same groups. Draw
on Tables 22.1 and 22.2 as necessary.
9. How has globalization both positively and negatively impacted the degree of
discrimination that exists?
Discuss how exploiting differences can benefit the dominant group in the economy.
10. Who benefits from racism and sexism?
Some argue that male employees gain at the expense of female employees, or white
11. According to progressives, what are the ways in which capitalists benefit from racist
discrimination? How does this view differ from the conservative economics
perspective?
12. Give an example of how racism is used to create a disposable labor force.
13. According to progressives, how do capitalists gain through sexism? What would a
conservative economist say in response?
14. How can the glorification of housework be profitable for capitalists?
Unpaid labor in the home is crucial to provision of the needed supply of labor.