Does Economic Hardship Amplify Racist Attitudes of Political Conservatives?

• In Event: 452 - Section on Racial and Ethnic Minorities Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 09. Race and Politics

Abstract

Numerous studies show that political conservatives report higher levels of symbolic racism than political moderates and liberals. Although previous studies of political orientation and political attitudes are influential and important, it is unclear whether negative feelings towards racial minorities vary across theoretically relevant subgroups of political conservatives. This paper attempts to add to the literature by examining whether the effect of political conservatism on symbolic racism varies according to experiences with economic hardship among whites. Using data from the 2008 Cooperative Campaign Analysis Project (CCAP) we measure the effect of economic hardship on the relationships of conservatism and symbolic racism. Results indicate that, overall political conservatives tend to have less accepting attitudes towards Blacks than their more moderate and liberal counterparts. However, the effect of economic hardship is moderated by political attitudes: experiencing economic hardship amplifies symbolic racist attitudes among conservatives, but attenuates these attitudes among liberals.

Authors

• Anna W. Jacobs, Vanderbilt University

• Brittany Nicole Hearne, Vanderbilt University