Black Unemployment - (Contributions in Labor Studies) by David Schwartzman (Hardcover)

About the Book

In the post-World War II era, the U.S. government's full employment policy led to rapid mechanization of production by reducing the cost of financing investment. The mechanization of production displaced more blacks than whites because blacks were disproportionately unskilled. In addition, the growth in the import of manufactured goods further reduced the demand for unskilled labor. The author argues that the government should fill the gap with government employment and should discourage imports from developing countries.

Book Synopsis

In the post-World War II era, the U.S. government's full employment policy led to rapid mechanization of production by reducing the cost of financing investment. The mechanization of production displaced more blacks than whites because blacks were disproportionately unskilled. In addition, the growth in the import of manufactured goods further reduced the demand for unskilled labor. The author argues that the government should fill the gap with government employment and should discourage imports from developing countries.

Review Quotes

?Black Unemployment is essential reading for anyone concerned with the problems of theunderclass in America.?-Business Library Review

?This is an interesting and important book. It deals with a critical issue and shows that economic policies need to be more rigorously tested if they are to benefit all sections of the community. Its message should be heeded not only by academics but by politicians and policymakers who often make decisions based on simple explanations of complex realties.?-Social Development Issues

?This is an interesting book. David Schwartzman uses an eclectic combination of ideas to argue that black unemployment is especially high because black workers are especially likely to be unskilled....The strength of Schwartzman's book is his concern with the well-being of unskilled workers. This perspective gives him a critical insight into the unbalanced effects or economic growth, such as its propensity to generate unemployment as well as employment. It also creates a coherent political perspective which cannnot be neatly categorized as "left" or "right." He is critical of immigration, affirmative action, free trade, investment incentives, liberal social policies and public school monopolies. He supports public works programs, trade barriers, more spending on schooling, and vouchers. Whether or not he is right, it is a perspective deserving wide currency in these politically fractured times.?-Eastern Economic Journal

"Black Unemployment is essential reading for anyone concerned with the problems of theunderclass in America."-Business Library Review

"This is an interesting and important book. It deals with a critical issue and shows that economic policies need to be more rigorously tested if they are to benefit all sections of the community. Its message should be heeded not only by academics but by politicians and policymakers who often make decisions based on simple explanations of complex realties."-Social Development Issues

"This is an interesting book. David Schwartzman uses an eclectic combination of ideas to argue that black unemployment is especially high because black workers are especially likely to be unskilled....The strength of Schwartzman's book is his concern with the well-being of unskilled workers. This perspective gives him a critical insight into the unbalanced effects or economic growth, such as its propensity to generate unemployment as well as employment. It also creates a coherent political perspective which cannnot be neatly categorized as "left" or "right." He is critical of immigration, affirmative action, free trade, investment incentives, liberal social policies and public school monopolies. He supports public works programs, trade barriers, more spending on schooling, and vouchers. Whether or not he is right, it is a perspective deserving wide currency in these politically fractured times."-Eastern Economic Journal

About the Author

DAVID SCHWARTZMAN is Professor of Economics at the New School for Social Research in New York City. Dr. Schwartzman has researched and written extensively in areas related to economic policy, and his publications include The Decline of Service in Retail Trade, Oligopoly in the Farm Machinery Industry, Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Games of Chicken: Four Decades of U.S. Nuclear Policy (Praeger, 1988), Economic Policy: An Agenda for the Nineties (Praeger, 1989), and The Japanese Television Cartel: A Study Based on Matsushita v. Zenith.