Journal of Economic Literature Vol. 60 No. 2 2022

Stratification Economics: Core Constructs and Policy Implications

Grieve Chelwa¹; Darrick Hamilton²; James B. Stewart³

¹ Director of Research, Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, The New School. · ² Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy and University Professor and Founding Director, Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, The New School. · ³ Senior Fellow, Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, The New School.

Abstract

This article introduces the core constructs of stratification economics to provide a coherent explanation for the persistence of intergroup inequalities. Aligned with the critical race theory concept of “the property rights in Whiteness,” stratification economics explicitly incorporates the concepts of identity-group investment and group-based agency in the construction of identity-group hierarchies. We survey the intellectual lineage, foundations, tenets and theoretical underpinnings of stratification economics, and conclude with a treatise on inclusive economic rights as an appropriate policy frame to empower people and counteract structural inequalities generated from inter-group conflict and competition for preferred outcomes.

DOI

10.1257/jel.20211687

Volume

60

Issue

2

Pages

377-399

Language

en

Sources

openalex crossref

Cite

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