Deck 22: Economics of Racial and Gender Discrimination

Question 1

Whats defention of terms:
-discrimination

Answer 1

the adverse treatment of an individual based on group membership instead of individual productivity

Question 2

Whats defention of terms:
--isms

Answer 2

subordination of members of targeted groups by members of dominant groups with relatively more economic and social power

Question 3

Whats defention of terms:
-prejudice

Answer 3

subjective dislike of a person or a group (usually based on stereotypes)

Question 4

Whats defention of terms:
-stereotype

Question 5

Explain how membership in either the dominant social and economic group or nondominant group impacts economic opportunities and outcomes.
-Why do members of dominant social groups have greater opportunities? Give two specific examples of this phenomenon.

Question 6

Explain how membership in either the dominant social and economic group or nondominant group impacts economic opportunities and outcomes.
-How does a dominant group protect its status?

Question 7

Explain how membership in either the dominant social and economic group or nondominant group impacts economic opportunities and outcomes.
-Give a contemporary example of one group using another group as a scapegoat for a social problem.

Question 8

Explain how membership in either the dominant social and economic group or nondominant group impacts economic opportunities and outcomes.
-Define and explain what is meant by stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination.

Question 9

s, such as racism, sexism, and classism, are developed and maintained.
-What are "-isms"? What do they share in common?

Question 10

s, such as racism, sexism, and classism, are developed and maintained.
-What are the different ideas that reinforce the discrimination of African Americans?

Question 11

s, such as racism, sexism, and classism, are developed and maintained.
-List two stereotypes each about African Americans, women, and the poor? What is a shared shortcoming of all of these stereotypes?

Question 12

s, such as racism, sexism, and classism, are developed and maintained.
-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 in the text as necessary.

Question 13

s, such as racism, sexism, and classism, are developed and maintained.
-How has globalization both positively and negatively impacted the degree of discrimination that exists?

Question 14

Discuss how exploiting differences can benefit the dominant group in the economy.
-Who benefits from racism and sexism?

Question 15

Discuss how exploiting differences can benefit the dominant group in the economy.
-According to progressives, what are the ways in which capitalists benefit from racist discrimination? How does this view differ from the conservative economics perspective?

Question 16

Discuss how exploiting differences can benefit the dominant group in the economy.
-Give an example of how racism is used to create a disposable labor force.

Question 17

Discuss how exploiting differences can benefit the dominant group in the economy.
-According to progressives, how do capitalists gain through sexism? What would a conservative economist say in response?

Question 18

Discuss how exploiting differences can benefit the dominant group in the economy.
-How can the glorification of housework be profitable for capitalists?

Question 19

How does the median net worth of white, not Hispanic households compare to that of Black households in 2000.

A) White, not Hispanic households have about twice as much net worth as Black households.
B) White, not Hispanic households have about 5 times as much net worth as Black households.
C) White, not Hispanic households have about the same amount of net worth as Black households.
D) White, not Hispanic households have about 10 times as much net worth as Black households.

Question 20

How did the median net worth of white, not Hispanic households compare to that of Hispanic households in 2000.

A) White, not Hispanic households have about twice as much net worth as Hispanic households.
B) White, not Hispanic households have about 8 times as much net worth as Hispanic households.
C) White, not Hispanic households have about the same amount of net worth as Hispanic households.
D) White, not Hispanic households have about 4 times as much net worth as Hispanic households.

Question 21

How did the median income of Asian households in the US compare to that of white, not Hispanic in 2005?

A) The median income of Asians households is about 80% that of white, not Hispanic households.
B) The median income of Asians households is about 60%% that of white, not Hispanic households.
C) The median income of Asian households is about the same as that of white, not Hispanic households.
D) The median income of Asians households is about 120% that of white, not Hispanic households.

Question 22

How did the median income of Black households in the US compare to that of white, not Hispanic in 2005?

A) The median income of Black households is about 40% that of white, not Hispanic households.
B) The median income of Black households is about 60% that of white, not Hispanic households.
C) The median income of Black households is about the same as that of white, not Hispanic households.
D) The median income of Black households is about 120% that of white, not Hispanic households.

Question 23

How did the median income of Hispanic households in the US compare to that of white, not Hispanic in 2005?

A) The median income of Hispanic households is about 35% that of white, not Hispanic households.
B) The median income of Hispanic households is about 70% that of white, not Hispanic households.
C) The median income of Hispanic households is about the same as that of white, not Hispanic households.
D) The median income of Hispanic households is about 120% that of white, not Hispanic households.

Question 24

What is the conservative position on discrimination as exemplified by Milton Friedman?

A) discrimination is an example of free choice, therefore it is utility maximizing and efficient.
B) discrimination is irrational and inefficient, therefore the market will eliminate it on its own.
C) discrimination is profitable to employers who can pay lower wages, therefore there are no market incentives to eliminate it.
D) discrimination does not exist, because it was made illegal many years ago.

Question 25

Why is housework not counted as part of GDP?

A) because the work of American housewives has no value.
B) because unpaid work in the home does not go through the market.
C) because it is a relatively small part of the US economy.
D) because less and less work is actually done in the home.

Question 26

Discrimination means that

A) there are laws enforcing bias against certain groups.
B) a dominant group has greater access to resources and power than those who are different.
C) all who work hard will have an equal chance to earn social and economic rewards.
D) the market is allocating resources efficiently

Question 27

Conservative economists and progressive differ on who gains and who loses from sexism in the workplace. Which of the following statements is true?

A) Conservative economists argue that capitalists lose from sexism in the workplace, because they could get an equally qualified woman for less pay.
B) Conservative economists argue that male employees lose from sexism in the workplace, because lack of solidarity lowers wages for all workers.
C) Progressive economists argue that male employees gain from sexism in the workplace, because they benefit from wages that are higher than normal.
D) Progressive economists argue that capitalists gain from sexism in the workplace, because putting women in their place is emotionally satisfying.

Question 28

The wage gap or the ratio of women's to men's median annual earnings, for full-time, full-year workers is

A) women's annual earnings are approximately 57% that of men's
B) women's annual earnings are approximately 77% that of men's
C) women's annual earnings are approximately the same as men's.
D) women's annual earnings are approximately 110% that of men's.