Question of the Month

Neoliberalism and black politics?

Has neoliberal ideology among black elites narrowed our conceptions of what’s possible in black politics as well as our focus on means to electoral politics & lobbying? If so, is this a good or bad development for blacks’ quest for social justice?

Latest Posts

Live webcast with Michael Dawson
November 2, 2011

Ask UChicago with Professor Michael Dawson at 11am on Wednesday, November 2!

He's Black.
September 8, 2011

Is Obama Black, Bi-racial, or Post-racial? Michael answers in a Zócalo Public Square chat.

Severe Hardship, Dashed Hopes
July 27, 2011

We are entering a period when for blacks there is a dangerous and growing confluence of severe economic hardship and dashed hopes.

Reflections on Black Politics in the Early 21st Century

Available in 2012

Reflections on Black Politics in the Early 21st Century concentrates on the statistical analysis of the determinants of racial attitudes and the massive changes in racial attitudes, particularly among blacks and Latinos (the groups with the largest changes), that occurred between 2008-2010. Reflections also more explicitly engages the political theory literature using that literature to engage such questions as what traditional, if any, modes of black political leadership are relevant for contemporary black politics. This book is the most traditional political science manuscript of the three (to the degree that any of my work can be loosely labeled “traditional political science”).