Black Reparations: Unlikely Politics and Policy Alternatives

Abstract

Centuries of enslavement and discrimination make it easy to make a case that Blacks deserve reparations. This essay explores whether compensating Blacks for the racism they experienced is politically possible or good public policy. Survey data indicate that building political support for reparations for descendants of the enslaved is a barrier too formidable to overcome. Alternative policies could seek to close the Black-white wealth gap while also addressing the economic deprivations of other minorities and the sense of stagnation among many working class whites.

Keywords: black reparations, slavery, racsism, black-white wealth gap, changing racial attitudes

JEL Classification: D04, D31, D63, H53, I30, I38