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The American Non-Dilemma: Racial Inequality Without Racism

Roberto Bolaño

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The American Non-Dilemma: Racial Inequality Without Racism

by Nancy DiTomaso

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9846 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	429 pages

The American Non-Dilemma is a term coined by sociologist Edward C. Banfield in his 1974 book The Unheavenly City: The Nature and Future of Our Urban Crisis. Banfield argued that the problems of American cities were not caused by racism or discrimination, but by a lack of social order and a culture of poverty. This article explores the concept of the American Non-Dilemma and its implications for racial inequality in the United States.

Banfield's Thesis

Banfield argued that the problems of American cities were not caused by external factors, such as racism or discrimination, but by internal factors, such as a lack of social order and a culture of poverty. He believed that these internal factors created a "non-dilemma" for urban policymakers, because they made it impossible to address the problems of cities without also addressing the underlying social and economic conditions that caused them.

Banfield's thesis was controversial, and it has been criticized by many scholars. However, it has also been influential, and it has helped to shape the way that we think about urban policy in the United States.

The American Non-Dilemma and Racial Inequality

The American Non-Dilemma has important implications for racial inequality in the United States. If the problems of American cities are not caused by racism or discrimination, then it is difficult to justify policies that are designed to address these problems. This is because such policies would be seen as treating the symptoms of the problem, rather than the underlying causes.

The American Non-Dilemma also makes it difficult to talk about racial inequality in the United States. If the problems of American cities are not caused by racism, then it is difficult to say that racial inequality is a problem that needs to be addressed. This is because racial inequality would be seen as a byproduct of other social and economic factors, rather than a problem in its own right.

The Future of the American Non-Dilemma

The American Non-Dilemma is a complex and controversial issue. There is no easy way to resolve it, and it will likely continue to be debated for many years to come. However, it is important to understand the concept of the American Non-Dilemma, and its implications for racial inequality in the United States.

If we want to address racial inequality in the United States, we need to understand the underlying social and economic factors that cause it. We also need to be willing to talk about racial inequality in a way that is honest and open. Only then can we begin to find solutions to this complex and challenging problem.

The American Non-Dilemma: Racial Inequality Without Racism

by Nancy DiTomaso

4.3 out of 5