Suchergebnisse

JEL Classification: B31, B32, B24

Why do women leave economics so that there is a "leaky pipeline"? I synthesize the research on the gender disparities in the profession and examine this topic further by interviewing women who work in or who have left the profession. I find that structural theories of inequality explain these patterns: women are perceived and treated differently in economics. They are less likely to be respected, valued, and supported and to receive recognition for their work. Consequently, they are less likely to publish, receive tenure and promotion, and stay in the profession. JEL Classification: J7, J10

Fifty years ago, women endured blatant discrimination, hostility, and exclusion in economics. Marginalized, they founded institutions that allowed feminist economics to flourish and contributed groundbreaking work. Today, gender is widely accepted in mainstream economics, but feminist economics is not, and discrimination and sexual harassment endures. Changing the culture in economics and embracing diverse perspectives and methodologies will enrich the profession for everyone. JEL Classification: J71, B29, B5, B4

I introduce a new theoretical framework to explain intersectionality and economic disparities by gender and race in the United States. I examine patterns of economic outcomes by race and gender, review explanations for them, and assess the extent to which theories explain the intersection of race and gender in these outcomes. I explore gendered racism as the only concept that can explain these patterns by gender, race, and intersectionality. When employers, coworkers, customers, and communities behave and act on gender and racial prejudices and when institutions, ideologies, and belief systems legitimize, reproduce, and perpetuate these prejudices, gendered racism can explain the resulting economic disparities by race, gender, and intersectionality.

Students at UC Berkeley helped found the Union for Radical Political Economic (URPE) in 1968. The Berkeley chapter of URPE worked with economic students to successfully press that a radical economist be hired, which also resulted in a political economy field concentration. URPE at Berkeley provided a supportive community for graduate students, and intellectual stimulation and support for students who were interested in non-neoclassical training and research. URPE with other students provided study groups and taught political economy courses to undergraduates. Although this chapter of URPE no longer exists, its legacy is a more plural department that is more representative, thanks to former economics graduate students who attended this university.

Nearly a dozen Union for Radical Political Economics (URPE) members, including founders and activists (past and present), review URPE's history and legacy, including its political activism, hilarious past, and moving moments. Born in the turbulent 1960s, URPE changed scholars' lives by providing a platform and community to discuss Left economic work, meet lifelong collaborators and friends, and receive much-needed encouragement and support in a hostile profession. It has broadened, altered, and improved scholarship and the economics profession.

From interviews of Union for Radical Political Economics (URPE) members, founders, and activists, I discuss what radical political economics means. I argue that the meaning should go back to its original intent, so that it is broad and inclusive and examines the structure of the economy; the root of economic problems and conditions; issues of power; and oppression and inequality by race, gender, class, and nation. With a broad definition of radical political economics, we can continue to address problems of hegemony and inequality, which are as important today as they were fifty years ago.

Women continue to earn less than men in the United States. This article surveys the debate about why this occurs and synthesizes the policy remedies. Unionizing women, comparable worth, pay secrecy legislation, affirmative action, stronger non-discrimination legislation, and family-friendly policies can improve the gender wage gap. But doing so means that instead of attempting to pass federal legislation, advocates should target states to pass legislation and undertake pro-active remedies that can improve women's pay.JEL Classification: J7, J31, J38