Carter Wilson - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Carter Wilson
In this study, we build a structural model for explaining variations in test scores among element... more In this study, we build a structural model for explaining variations in test scores among elementary schools in Toledo, Ohio. In the process of constructing this model we examine the assumptions underlying theories of the determinants of test scores, notably the family background, inequality, concentrated poverty, subculture, and racial theses. Using Census Tract and public school data for the city of Toledo, we test these assumptions and reach a number of conclusions. First, percapita income is the strongest variable associated with test scores. Second, although concentrated poverty negatively correlates with test scores, income is a stronger explanatory variable. Third, schools located in low-income neighborhoods are more likely to have teachers with less experience and less than a master’s degree. Fourth, these teacher characteristics make a small difference in test scores. Finally, race is not a factor in test scores when we control for poverty. The broader implication is that l...
Choice Reviews Online, 2015
List of Tables and Figures vii 1 What Is Metaracism? 2 The Structure of Metaracism 3 The Culture ... more List of Tables and Figures vii 1 What Is Metaracism? 2 The Structure of Metaracism 3 The Culture of Metaracism 4 Politics, the State, and the Maintenance of Racial Oppression 5 The Growth of Inequality 6 The Assault on Social Welfare and Education Policies 7 The Incarceration Crisis 8 Minority Voter Suppression 9 Metaracism at a Crossroads Bibliography Index About the Book v Contents The twenty-first century promises to be a paradoxical period in US race relations: an age of unparalleled progress, yet of unprecedented repression; an epoch of remarkable racial advancement, yet of persisting racial inequality; a season proclaimed to be one of postracial/post-civil rights politics, yet one of continuing racial strife. This paradox is not new. It has persisted throughout US history. It has just become more pronounced. On the positive side of the ledger, African Americans serve in highly visible and prominent political positions. Barack Obama was elected the first black president in this nation's history and then reelected to a second term. Colin Powell became the first black man and Condoleezza Rice the first black woman to serve as secretary of state. Mo Cowan of Massachusetts and Tim Scott of South Carolina became the first two black men in history to serve simultaneously in the US Senate. Cory Booker was elected the first black senator from New Jersey. This is an age for the progress of black professionals, marked by a dramatic increase in the number of black physicians, black scientists, black university professors, black engineers, black attorneys, black chief executive officers (CEOs), and other black professionals. Indeed, between 1970 and 2008, the nationwide number of black physicians increased from 6,044 to 54,364, attorneys from 3,703 to 46,644, and college professors from 16,582 to 63,336. 1 This constitutes a period of visible and profound racial progress. On the negative side, some consider this to be the new Gilded Age 2 and the new Jim Crow era. 3 This is a period in which the rich have grown richer; inequality has become more extreme; the black/white gap in income, wealth, and education has widened; equal opportunities have diminished; and upward mobility has declined. Incarceration rates among the poorer and darker citizens have soared, evoking complaints and condemnation
... An Interdisciplinary Theory 3. Samuel V. Duh, BLACKS AND AIDS: Causes and Origins 4. Steven J... more ... An Interdisciplinary Theory 3. Samuel V. Duh, BLACKS AND AIDS: Causes and Origins 4. Steven J. Gold, REFUGEE COMMUNITIES: A Comparative Field Study 5. Mary E. Andereck. ... Benjamin P. Bowser (Ed.), RACISM AND ANTI-RACISM IN WORLD PERSPECTIVE 14. ...
This paper examines and critiques legal arguments supporting and opposing felon disenfranchisemen... more This paper examines and critiques legal arguments supporting and opposing felon disenfranchisement laws. It reexamines Richardson v Ramerez, the Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of state laws that deny voting rights to voting aged cities with felony convictions. It summarizes the literature on case law, legal theory, democratic theory and comparative governments related to voting rights and felon disenfranchisement. It presents a typology of different levels of felon disenfranchisement practice. It concludes that the arguments supporting the more severe practices of felon disenfranchisement tend to focus on the 14th amendment while ignoring the 15th amendment; tend to trivialize the substantial racially disparate impacts; tend to disregard the fact that most democratic countries eschew this practice; and tend to deny voting as a fundamental right
The Urban Review, 1993
... The authors gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of the college and its staff: S... more ... The authors gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of the college and its staff: Sue Marx Smock, Dean; Larry Ledebur, Director of the Center for Urban Studies; Neva Nahan, Director of Survey Operations; Melissa Motchall; and Amy Lobsiger. 123 ...
Administration & Society, 1989
The Reagan administration's domestic budget cuts have imposed severe fiscal stress upon local... more The Reagan administration's domestic budget cuts have imposed severe fiscal stress upon local-government and nonprofit agencies. The responses to this stress by organizations in northwest Ohio are analyzed in this study. Compared to local-government agencies, the federal fiscal changes had the greater impact upon nonprofit agencies, which searched more actively for alternative funding sources, varied internal process more dramatically, made programs more readily, and cast about for more effective management techniques.
American Political Science Review, 1987
As the recent shake-up at GM underscores, the new global economy has widened the cracks and stres... more As the recent shake-up at GM underscores, the new global economy has widened the cracks and stresses in the American auto industry. But, as this new edition of the highly regarded Sustaining Hand reminds us, the auto industry remains a central if volatile player in American urban politics. In this significantly revised update, Bryan Jones and Lynn Bachelor have extended and refined their analysis of Detroit-area automakers and political leaders negotiating the selection of new factory sites (and thus the addition of thousands of jobs to the local economy). Their thorough revision develops a crucial new concept solution sets updates all plant location decisions reported in the first edition, and adds an instructive new case study the Chrysler Jefferson Avenue plant in Detroit. This book seeks to uncover the linkages between business leaders(motivated by profit) and political decision makers (motivated by electoral gain) by examining the responses of public officials in three Michigan "auto cities" Detroit, Flint, and Pontiac to plant-location choices made by General Motors and Chrysler. Throughout, the authors focus on three issues-the relationship between the local industrial economy and the local political system, the structure of urban politics, and the degree of independence of political decision makers in urban affairs. As Jones and Bachelor show, urban regimes, in their efforts to shore up sagging economies, develop characteristic solution-sets that are applied almost routinely to superficially similar situations. In fact, they contend, it's rare for a regime to start with a problem and search for a policy solution. Instead, through a pattern of interactions among politicians, business executives, labor unions, and other interested parties, a "package" of problem-definitions and preferred solutions emerges. But if applied indiscriminately, these solutions can become dysfunctional, which in turn may attract new participants to the policy process and ultimately alter the regime's character. "An excellent case analysis of urban political economy. . . interesting, sophisticated, well written. It is sure to be widely discussed." Clarence N. Stone, author of "Urban Policy and Politics in a Bureaucratic Age" and "Economic Growth and Neighborhood Discontent." "This new version makes significant new contributions to both the urban politics and public policy literatures, and indeed marries them in an utterly unique way. The concept of solution sets is brilliant, and I assume that it will be much discussed and utilized in the urban literature." Dennis Judd, author of "The Politics of American Cities: Private Power and Public Policy." Praise for the first edition: "An excellent book. The authors demonstrate a considerable capacity for theoretical innovation and a rare appreciation of the detail and complexity of local economic development. This book is a model for those who would like to situate the local economic development process in a more general analytical framework." "Urban Studies" "A provocative addition to the literature" "Choice""
Racism: From Slavery to Advanced Capitalism
This paper critiques the contemporary literature on American exceptionalism. It examines the mult... more This paper critiques the contemporary literature on American exceptionalism. It examines the multiple religious, intellectual and racist traditions that make up U.S. political culture. It demonstrates that the doctrine of American exceptionalism is full of contradictions and fallacies and that rather than promoting democracy and equality these religious, intellectual and racist traditions did more to sustain and promote racial repression. Finally, this critique reveals not only the contradictions and fallacies of American exceptionalism, but the contradictions of contemporary U.S. public policies as well: the contradiction between the rhetorical commitment to freedom, equality and limited government and the reality of a stingy and intrusive welfare state and a racially repressive criminal justice system.
Sociology and Anthropology
While analyzing Obergefell (same sex marriage) and other select court decisions related to identi... more While analyzing Obergefell (same sex marriage) and other select court decisions related to identity oppression (the oppression of groups identifiable by race, gender or sexual orientation), I demonstrate the limits of a traditional textualist and originalist approach and the advantages of a critical theory approach to legal analysis. Although I define both of these approaches, I focus on the application of critical theory to an analysis of Supreme Court decisions that sustain identity oppression. Critical theory focuses on the manner in which the dominant culture biases the decisions of Supreme Court judges against racial, gender and sexual orientation minorities. I illustrate that in Obergefell, both the dissenting and majority opinions applied a traditional textualist approach. However, the difference between the two opinions arose not from textualism but from the manner in which the dominant culture biased the judgment of the dissenters, distorted their concept of liberty and rights, and left them blind to the dignity of members of the identity group. Although I applaud the "new textualism," I argue that it does not go far enough. While focusing on methods of analysis, it pays too little attention to identity biases in the dominant culture. I argue that the dominant culture contains images, stories, ideas and assumptions about identity groups that diminish the dignity and humanity of their members. This culture operates to legitimize and normalize patterns of identity oppression. Although, there has been much progress in civil rights policies, this problem of the dominant culture persists in constitutional law today.
Socialism and Democracy
Throughout the twentieth century, most progressive scholars have argued against the utility of a ... more Throughout the twentieth century, most progressive scholars have argued against the utility of a Marxist perspective in analyzing racial oppression in the United States. These scholars and critics ...
Since President Barak Obama took office in January 2009, there has been a nation-wide campaign to... more Since President Barak Obama took office in January 2009, there has been a nation-wide campaign to pass a series of restrictive laws designed to make voting less convenient and more difficult.These laws, combined with extra legal tactics, are part of a long trend that has had the impact of suppressing and diluting the minority vote. This paper summarizes these laws and tactics. It divides them into 5 categories: eligibility standards, registration requirements, purging strategies, voting obstruction tactics, voter identification requirements and redistricting. It summarizes the recent literature on minority vote suppression. It assesses the impacts of these laws on the outcome of elections and the democratic process.
In this study, we build a structural model for explaining variations in test scores among element... more In this study, we build a structural model for explaining variations in test scores among elementary schools in Toledo, Ohio. In the process of constructing this model we examine the assumptions underlying theories of the determinants of test scores, notably the family background, inequality, concentrated poverty, subculture, and racial theses. Using Census Tract and public school data for the city of Toledo, we test these assumptions and reach a number of conclusions. First, percapita income is the strongest variable associated with test scores. Second, although concentrated poverty negatively correlates with test scores, income is a stronger explanatory variable. Third, schools located in low-income neighborhoods are more likely to have teachers with less experience and less than a master’s degree. Fourth, these teacher characteristics make a small difference in test scores. Finally, race is not a factor in test scores when we control for poverty. The broader implication is that l...
Choice Reviews Online, 2015
List of Tables and Figures vii 1 What Is Metaracism? 2 The Structure of Metaracism 3 The Culture ... more List of Tables and Figures vii 1 What Is Metaracism? 2 The Structure of Metaracism 3 The Culture of Metaracism 4 Politics, the State, and the Maintenance of Racial Oppression 5 The Growth of Inequality 6 The Assault on Social Welfare and Education Policies 7 The Incarceration Crisis 8 Minority Voter Suppression 9 Metaracism at a Crossroads Bibliography Index About the Book v Contents The twenty-first century promises to be a paradoxical period in US race relations: an age of unparalleled progress, yet of unprecedented repression; an epoch of remarkable racial advancement, yet of persisting racial inequality; a season proclaimed to be one of postracial/post-civil rights politics, yet one of continuing racial strife. This paradox is not new. It has persisted throughout US history. It has just become more pronounced. On the positive side of the ledger, African Americans serve in highly visible and prominent political positions. Barack Obama was elected the first black president in this nation's history and then reelected to a second term. Colin Powell became the first black man and Condoleezza Rice the first black woman to serve as secretary of state. Mo Cowan of Massachusetts and Tim Scott of South Carolina became the first two black men in history to serve simultaneously in the US Senate. Cory Booker was elected the first black senator from New Jersey. This is an age for the progress of black professionals, marked by a dramatic increase in the number of black physicians, black scientists, black university professors, black engineers, black attorneys, black chief executive officers (CEOs), and other black professionals. Indeed, between 1970 and 2008, the nationwide number of black physicians increased from 6,044 to 54,364, attorneys from 3,703 to 46,644, and college professors from 16,582 to 63,336. 1 This constitutes a period of visible and profound racial progress. On the negative side, some consider this to be the new Gilded Age 2 and the new Jim Crow era. 3 This is a period in which the rich have grown richer; inequality has become more extreme; the black/white gap in income, wealth, and education has widened; equal opportunities have diminished; and upward mobility has declined. Incarceration rates among the poorer and darker citizens have soared, evoking complaints and condemnation
... An Interdisciplinary Theory 3. Samuel V. Duh, BLACKS AND AIDS: Causes and Origins 4. Steven J... more ... An Interdisciplinary Theory 3. Samuel V. Duh, BLACKS AND AIDS: Causes and Origins 4. Steven J. Gold, REFUGEE COMMUNITIES: A Comparative Field Study 5. Mary E. Andereck. ... Benjamin P. Bowser (Ed.), RACISM AND ANTI-RACISM IN WORLD PERSPECTIVE 14. ...
This paper examines and critiques legal arguments supporting and opposing felon disenfranchisemen... more This paper examines and critiques legal arguments supporting and opposing felon disenfranchisement laws. It reexamines Richardson v Ramerez, the Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of state laws that deny voting rights to voting aged cities with felony convictions. It summarizes the literature on case law, legal theory, democratic theory and comparative governments related to voting rights and felon disenfranchisement. It presents a typology of different levels of felon disenfranchisement practice. It concludes that the arguments supporting the more severe practices of felon disenfranchisement tend to focus on the 14th amendment while ignoring the 15th amendment; tend to trivialize the substantial racially disparate impacts; tend to disregard the fact that most democratic countries eschew this practice; and tend to deny voting as a fundamental right
The Urban Review, 1993
... The authors gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of the college and its staff: S... more ... The authors gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of the college and its staff: Sue Marx Smock, Dean; Larry Ledebur, Director of the Center for Urban Studies; Neva Nahan, Director of Survey Operations; Melissa Motchall; and Amy Lobsiger. 123 ...
Administration & Society, 1989
The Reagan administration's domestic budget cuts have imposed severe fiscal stress upon local... more The Reagan administration's domestic budget cuts have imposed severe fiscal stress upon local-government and nonprofit agencies. The responses to this stress by organizations in northwest Ohio are analyzed in this study. Compared to local-government agencies, the federal fiscal changes had the greater impact upon nonprofit agencies, which searched more actively for alternative funding sources, varied internal process more dramatically, made programs more readily, and cast about for more effective management techniques.
American Political Science Review, 1987
As the recent shake-up at GM underscores, the new global economy has widened the cracks and stres... more As the recent shake-up at GM underscores, the new global economy has widened the cracks and stresses in the American auto industry. But, as this new edition of the highly regarded Sustaining Hand reminds us, the auto industry remains a central if volatile player in American urban politics. In this significantly revised update, Bryan Jones and Lynn Bachelor have extended and refined their analysis of Detroit-area automakers and political leaders negotiating the selection of new factory sites (and thus the addition of thousands of jobs to the local economy). Their thorough revision develops a crucial new concept solution sets updates all plant location decisions reported in the first edition, and adds an instructive new case study the Chrysler Jefferson Avenue plant in Detroit. This book seeks to uncover the linkages between business leaders(motivated by profit) and political decision makers (motivated by electoral gain) by examining the responses of public officials in three Michigan "auto cities" Detroit, Flint, and Pontiac to plant-location choices made by General Motors and Chrysler. Throughout, the authors focus on three issues-the relationship between the local industrial economy and the local political system, the structure of urban politics, and the degree of independence of political decision makers in urban affairs. As Jones and Bachelor show, urban regimes, in their efforts to shore up sagging economies, develop characteristic solution-sets that are applied almost routinely to superficially similar situations. In fact, they contend, it's rare for a regime to start with a problem and search for a policy solution. Instead, through a pattern of interactions among politicians, business executives, labor unions, and other interested parties, a "package" of problem-definitions and preferred solutions emerges. But if applied indiscriminately, these solutions can become dysfunctional, which in turn may attract new participants to the policy process and ultimately alter the regime's character. "An excellent case analysis of urban political economy. . . interesting, sophisticated, well written. It is sure to be widely discussed." Clarence N. Stone, author of "Urban Policy and Politics in a Bureaucratic Age" and "Economic Growth and Neighborhood Discontent." "This new version makes significant new contributions to both the urban politics and public policy literatures, and indeed marries them in an utterly unique way. The concept of solution sets is brilliant, and I assume that it will be much discussed and utilized in the urban literature." Dennis Judd, author of "The Politics of American Cities: Private Power and Public Policy." Praise for the first edition: "An excellent book. The authors demonstrate a considerable capacity for theoretical innovation and a rare appreciation of the detail and complexity of local economic development. This book is a model for those who would like to situate the local economic development process in a more general analytical framework." "Urban Studies" "A provocative addition to the literature" "Choice""
Racism: From Slavery to Advanced Capitalism
This paper critiques the contemporary literature on American exceptionalism. It examines the mult... more This paper critiques the contemporary literature on American exceptionalism. It examines the multiple religious, intellectual and racist traditions that make up U.S. political culture. It demonstrates that the doctrine of American exceptionalism is full of contradictions and fallacies and that rather than promoting democracy and equality these religious, intellectual and racist traditions did more to sustain and promote racial repression. Finally, this critique reveals not only the contradictions and fallacies of American exceptionalism, but the contradictions of contemporary U.S. public policies as well: the contradiction between the rhetorical commitment to freedom, equality and limited government and the reality of a stingy and intrusive welfare state and a racially repressive criminal justice system.
Sociology and Anthropology
While analyzing Obergefell (same sex marriage) and other select court decisions related to identi... more While analyzing Obergefell (same sex marriage) and other select court decisions related to identity oppression (the oppression of groups identifiable by race, gender or sexual orientation), I demonstrate the limits of a traditional textualist and originalist approach and the advantages of a critical theory approach to legal analysis. Although I define both of these approaches, I focus on the application of critical theory to an analysis of Supreme Court decisions that sustain identity oppression. Critical theory focuses on the manner in which the dominant culture biases the decisions of Supreme Court judges against racial, gender and sexual orientation minorities. I illustrate that in Obergefell, both the dissenting and majority opinions applied a traditional textualist approach. However, the difference between the two opinions arose not from textualism but from the manner in which the dominant culture biased the judgment of the dissenters, distorted their concept of liberty and rights, and left them blind to the dignity of members of the identity group. Although I applaud the "new textualism," I argue that it does not go far enough. While focusing on methods of analysis, it pays too little attention to identity biases in the dominant culture. I argue that the dominant culture contains images, stories, ideas and assumptions about identity groups that diminish the dignity and humanity of their members. This culture operates to legitimize and normalize patterns of identity oppression. Although, there has been much progress in civil rights policies, this problem of the dominant culture persists in constitutional law today.
Socialism and Democracy
Throughout the twentieth century, most progressive scholars have argued against the utility of a ... more Throughout the twentieth century, most progressive scholars have argued against the utility of a Marxist perspective in analyzing racial oppression in the United States. These scholars and critics ...
Since President Barak Obama took office in January 2009, there has been a nation-wide campaign to... more Since President Barak Obama took office in January 2009, there has been a nation-wide campaign to pass a series of restrictive laws designed to make voting less convenient and more difficult.These laws, combined with extra legal tactics, are part of a long trend that has had the impact of suppressing and diluting the minority vote. This paper summarizes these laws and tactics. It divides them into 5 categories: eligibility standards, registration requirements, purging strategies, voting obstruction tactics, voter identification requirements and redistricting. It summarizes the recent literature on minority vote suppression. It assesses the impacts of these laws on the outcome of elections and the democratic process.