Ethnic and Racial Division of Labor

Abstract

An ethnic or racial division of labor exists in a society in which ethnic or racial groups have distinctive concentrations or specializations in particular lines of work. Ethnic/racial divisions of labor may arise through relatively benign labor market sorting processes, or they may be the result of systematic acts of bigotry and discrimination, often with state sanction. Regardless of how they arise, ethnic/racial divisions of labor can be observed and traced over time, and they can have measurable effects on social and political dynamics within societies.

Ethnicity, Sociology of

“…This may lead to an ethnic division of labor in society, or even to split labor markets (Bonacich, 1972). Such situations result in growing ethnic identification and retention of ethnic markers, motivated by economic objectives (Lichter, 2007). Such situations result in growing ethnic identification and retention of ethnic markers, motivated by economic objectives (Lichter, 2007).…”