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Economic growth, structural change, and the relative income status of blacks in the U.S. economy, 1947–78

The Review of Black Political Economy volume 12, pages 75–92 (1983)Cite this article

Conclusion

The preceding analysis shows that it is possible to give a consistent and meaningful account of postwar changes in the relative position of Blacks as related to broad macrostructural forces operating in the economy as a whole. Of these, perhaps the most commonly recognized are cyclical forces associated with fluctuations in aggregate output and employment. Some support is found here for the role of these forces, though the strength of their effect varies as between earnings and income and between individuals and families. But quite apart from such cyclical factors, there are other powerful factors, of an economic as well as political nature, that have operated to influence the position of Blacks. This analysis has succeeded in isolating some of these other factors.

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Authors
  1. Donald J. Harris
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Harris, D.J. Economic growth, structural change, and the relative income status of blacks in the U.S. economy, 1947–78. Rev Black Polit Econ 12, 75–92 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02873948

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02873948

Keywords

  • Labor Market
  • Upward Mobility
  • Black Political Economy
  • Current Population Report
  • Sorting Mechanism