Race and culture : a world view

This book presents information regarding race, ethnicity, and culture, as well as information on the policy issues that revolve around these topics, not only in contemporary America but in societies around the world and throughout history. This book brings together more than a decade of research, encompassing dozens of ethnic groups in scores of countries around the world, to challenge most of the fundamental assumptions underlying the spectrum of "social science" beliefs and government policies dealing with racial and ethnic minorities. The book's thesis is that differences in productive skills and cultural values are the key to understanding the advancement - or regression - of particular groups, particular countries, and whole civilizations. The author concludes that cultural capital has far more impact than politics, prejudice, or genetics on the social and economic fates of minorities, nations, and civilizations. The spread of these skills across the planet, whether through migration or conquest, has shaped much of the history of the world and transformed its landscape. The author argues that attempts to achieve through multiculturalism, affirmative action, or other policies what can only be achieved by the development of cultural capital are illusions and distractions only likely to make matters worse This seminal book by one of our leading thinkers on race issues will forever change our views on race and ethnicity, culture, and the explosive policy issues that revolve around them, not only in contemporary America but in societies around the world and down through history. Race and Culture brings together more than a decade of research, encompassing dozens of ethnic groups in scores of countries around the world, to challenge most of the fundamental assumptions underlying the whole spectrum of "social science" beliefs and government policies dealing with racial and ethnic minorities. Its thesis is that differences in productive skills and cultural values are the key to understanding the advancement - or regression - of particular groups, particular countries, and whole civilizations. Thomas Sowell concludes that cultural capital has far more impact than politics, prejudice, or genetics on the social and economic fates of minorities, nations, and civilizations. The spread of these skills across the planet, whether through migration or conquest, has shaped much of the history of the world and transformed its landscape. Attempts to achieve through multiculturalism, affirmative action, or other policies what can only be achieved by the development of cultural capital are illusions and distractions only likely to make matters worse.

"Encompassing more than a decade of research around the globe, this book shows that cultural capital has far more impact than politics, prejudice, or genetics on the social and economic fates of mino"

Publishers Weekly

Sowell ( Ethnic America ) draws on a worldwide range of examples and more than a decade of research in this intriguing exploration of the role of cultural attributes on group advancement. He aims to demonstrate the ``reality, persistence, and consequences of cultural differences--contrary to many of today's grand theories based on the supposed dominant role of `objective conditions,' `economic forces' or `social structures.' '' He tackles a host of issues: the costs and benefits of residential segregation; how affirmative action primarily helps better-off members of preferred groups; how prominent political leaders are not crucial to group success; how low-scoring groups on intelligence tests do their worst on abstract questions devoid of ``cultural bias.'' Sowell's observations have force, but he sometimes sacrifices depth for breadth. Although he claims to avoid policy prescriptions, he includes facile swipes against multiculturalism and argues, with varying degrees of plausibility, against liberal policies on race. Conservative Book Club selection. (Aug.)

Racial, ethnic, and cultural differences among peoples play a major role in the events of our times, in countries around the world, and have played a major role in the long history of the human race.