Identity and underrepresentation: Interactions between race and gender

Jean-Paul Carvalho and Bary Pradelski

Journal of Public Economics, 2022, vol. 216, issue C

Abstract: Economic outcomes vary significantly across socio-demographic groups. In a model of multidimensional identity, we show how differences in economic participation can give rise to identity-specific norms which ‘normalize’ and lock in the historical underrepresentation of various groups. Whereas standard approaches treat identity dimensions as independent, our analysis reveals deep connections between inequality and underrepresentation based on race, gender, and other characteristics. ‘Sterilized interventions’ along a single identity dimension are generally impossible. Interventions that aim to reduce underrepresentation along one identity dimension can increase underrepresentation along another. We show how underrepresentation can be eliminated along every dimension, through a system of (a) self-financing subsidies or (b) role models, where interventions are ‘intersectional’, i.e., connected across identity dimensions. When the strength of group identification is made endogenous, underrepresentation disappears in the long run on its own. Depending on the environment, affirmative action can either speed up or slow down this process.

Keywords: Identity; Education; Labor force participation; Inequality; Underrepresentation; Multi-dimensional (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D10 D63 D71 I24 J2 Z12 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:216:y:2022:i:c:s0047272722001669

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2022.104764

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