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Title: The Political Economy of State-Level Fair Employment Laws, 1940-1964

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2003

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Abstract: This paper explores the political economy of anti-discrimination legislation during the ascendancy of the Civil Rights Movement. It traces the diffusion of state-level fair employment laws and evaluates the relative importance of various demographic, political, and economic factors in promoting such legislation. Activism by Jewish organizations, the NAACP, and unions (particularly the CIO) were key factors in securing the adoption of fair employment legislation. Less unemployment, a larger Catholic population, more competitive political systems, and Democratic governorships appear to have been less important. Predicted times for the adoption of fair employment laws by the southern states underscore the necessity of federal intervention to establish legal protection from job market discrimination. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

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Authors: Collins, William J.

Periodical (Full): Explorations in Economic History

Issue: 1

Volume: 40

Pages: 24-51

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Race and Ethnicity

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