Closing the Gap

Forty Years of Economic Progress for Blacks

James P. Smith, Finis Welch

ResearchPublished 1986

This report undertakes a reassessment of the economic progress of American blacks over the past 40 years, drawing on the 1980 Census micro data file and the newly released micro data files for the 1940 and 1950 Censuses. Its most basic concern is whether the economic lot of black men has improved significantly in the 40-year period, but it also considers whether economic progress has touched all parts of the black community. Finally, it attempts to isolate the underlying causes of black economic progress by considering the roles played by education, migration to the north, and affirmative action.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1986
  • Pages: 165
  • Document Number: R-3330-DOL

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Smith, James P. and Finis Welch, Closing the Gap: Forty Years of Economic Progress for Blacks. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1986. https://www.rand.org/pubs/reports/R3330.html.
BibTeX RIS

This publication is part of the RAND report series. The report series, a product of RAND from 1948 to 1993, represented the principal publication documenting and transmitting RAND's major research findings and final research.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.