Full Citation

Title: Slavery, education, and inequality

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2014

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Abstract: We investigate the effect of slavery on the current level of income inequality across US counties. We find that a larger proportion of slaves over population in 1860 persistently increases inequality, and in particular inequality across races. We also show that a crucial channel of transmission from slavery to racial inequality is human capital accumulation, i.e., current inequality is primarily influenced by slavery through the unequal educational attainment of blacks and whites. Finally, we provide suggestive evidence that the underlying links run through the political exclusion of former slaves and the resulting negative influence on the local provision of education.

Url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014292114000695

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Authors: Dimico, Arcangelo; Bertocchi, Graziella

Periodical (Full): European Economic Review

Issue:

Volume: 70

Pages: 197-209

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Education, Labor Force and Occupational Structure

Countries: United States