Black Politics Now
  • Home
  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Health
  • Policy
  • Reparations
  • Voter Rights
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
Black Politics Now
  • Home
  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Health
  • Policy
  • Reparations
  • Voter Rights
No Result
View All Result
Black Politics Now
No Result
View All Result

These charts illustrate the dominance of white men in politics

Black Politics Now by Black Politics Now
February 20, 2025
in Policy
0
These charts illustrate the dominance of white men in politics
74
SHARES
1.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

ALAN DIAZ | AP

You might also like

Tulsa Mayor unveils $105 Million ‘Road to Repair’ package to address legacy of 1921 race massacre

House Reconciliation Bill’s potential disproportionate impact on Black households

Federal judge rules Trump administration exceeded authority in attempt to dismantle US Institute of Peace

Story by the Editor: Oct 8, 2014

How much do race, gender, and income impact political influence? A recent study published in the NYU Law Review by University of Chicago law professor Nicholas Stephanopoulos provides significant insights.

Stephanopoulos utilized exit poll data to analyze the influence of race, gender, and income on policy-making in cases of major demographic disagreements. For instance, he examined how men and women, or whites and African Americans, differed on issues such as raising the minimum wage or mandating health insurance, and how these differences affected policy outcomes.

The study highlights that these gaps are particularly notable when opinion differences exceed 10 percentage points. Significant areas of divergence include:

  • Women are more likely to support policies aiding the poor or unemployed, limiting Wall Street’s power, increasing the minimum wage, imposing gun ownership restrictions, and maintaining entitlement programs. Conversely, men are more inclined to support religious exemptions for contraceptive coverage.
  • Racial divides show that African Americans, especially those under 30, are more likely to support the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, about 80% of African Americans are registered Democrats compared to 40% of whites. White Americans are more supportive of same-sex marriage and more likely to identify as pro-life among millennials compared to African Americans.

In cases of stark disagreement, women and racial minorities often see their preferences overlooked. Wealthier individuals also tend to have more sway over policy outcomes than those with lower incomes.

Women: The Most Politically Powerless Group

Among all demographics studied, including racial minorities and low-income individuals, women have the least influence on policy. Stephanopoulos found that when men and women significantly disagree on a policy, the likelihood of the policy being enacted decreases as support among women increases, plummeting from 80% to about 10%.

Img source: www.vox.com

State policy changes similarly reflect men’s preferences more than women’s. By comparing states’ overall ideological bent to different demographic groups, Stephanopoulos showed that women’s political ideologies have minimal impact on state policies. 

Nicholas Stephanopoulos | Political Powerlessness

“The gap between men and women in political influence is larger than those between black and white or rich and poor Americans,” Stephanopoulos noted in an interview, emphasizing the often-overlooked gender differences in political influence.

African Americans: Politically Powerless at State and Federal Levels

Policy changes predominantly reflect white preferences. Stephanopoulos found that as white support for a policy increases, the likelihood of its adoption grows. Conversely, increased support from black communities does not correspond to higher chances of policy adoption and may even decrease the likelihood.

Joss Fong | Vox

These findings align with previous research, such as John Griffin and Brian Newman’s 2008 “Minority Report,” which demonstrated that black voters have significantly less influence over Congress compared to white voters, even when accounting for their numbers in the electorate.

Hispanic Voters: Limited Influence at Federal Level, Some Impact at State Level

While black Americans and women show relative powerlessness at both federal and state levels, Hispanic voters exhibit some differences. At the federal level, Hispanic support for policies has little effect on their adoption. However, at the state level, Hispanic beliefs have some impact, though still not as much as white constituents.

(Nicholas Stephanopoulos/Political Powerlessness)

Economic Disparities: Money Equals Power

Stephanopoulos’s study reaffirms the correlation between income and political influence. Those in the top 10th percentile are significantly more likely to see their preferred policies enacted than those in lower income brackets. At the state level, individuals earning more than $30,000 per year have roughly the same influence as those earning more than $75,000, but those earning less than $30,000 have markedly less influence.

Implications of Political Powerlessness

According to Stephanopoulos, “Political powerlessness matters because it helps determine ‘suspect class’ status.” Groups identified as “suspect classes” receive strict scrutiny under Equal Protection claims, making it easier to prove unconstitutional discrimination.

The courts have yet to define political powerlessness, but suggestions include numerical size, right to vote, financial resources, support of public opinion, and socioeconomic standing. Stephanopoulos’s model offers a clear metric: the ability of different groups to enact their preferred policies.

Recommendations Based on Data

Stephanopoulos suggests several changes based on his findings:

  • Women and African Americans merit suspect class status, though the data does not support Hispanic classification as such. This discrepancy could prompt a reevaluation of current classifications.
  • Poor individuals should be considered a suspect class. The Supreme Court’s decision in the 1970s to exclude the poor from this status appears to be a mistake based on the data.
  • Women are more vulnerable to discrimination than previously thought, highlighting their alarming lack of political power despite legal protections and significant population share. Source: Vox

You can read the full paper here.ate.
Hispanic Voters: Limited Influence at Federal Level, Some Impact at State Level
While black Americans and women show relative powerlessness at both federal and state levels, Hispanic voters exhibit some differences. At the federal level, Hispanic support for policies has little effect on their adoption. However, at the state level, Hispanic beliefs have some impact, though still not as much as white constituents.

(Nicholas Stephanopoulos/Political Powerlessness)

Economic Disparities: Money Equals Power
Stephanopoulos’s study reaffirms the correlation between income and political influence. Those in the top 10th percentile are significantly more likely to see their preferred policies enacted than those in lower income brackets. At the state level, individuals earning more than $30,000 per year have roughly the same influence as those earning more than $75,000, but those earning less than $30,000 have markedly less influence.
Implications of Political Powerlessness
According to Stephanopoulos, “Political powerlessness matters because it helps determine ‘suspect class’ status.” Groups identified as “suspect classes” receive strict scrutiny under Equal Protection claims, making it easier to prove unconstitutional discrimination.
The courts have yet to define political powerlessness, but suggestions include numerical size, right to vote, financial resources, support of public opinion, and socioeconomic standing. Stephanopoulos’s model offers a clear metric: the ability of different groups to enact their preferred policies.
Recommendations Based on Data
Stephanopoulos suggests several changes based on his findings:
Women and African Americans merit suspect class status, though the data does not support Hispanic classification as such. This discrepancy could prompt a reevaluation of current classifications.
Poor individuals should be considered a suspect class. The Supreme Court’s decision in the 1970s to exclude the poor from this status appears to be a mistake based on the data.
Women are more vulnerable to discrimination than previously thought, highlighting their alarming lack of political power despite legal protections and significant population share. Source: Vox
You can read the full paper here.

Share30Tweet19
Black Politics Now

Black Politics Now

Recommended For You

Tulsa Mayor unveils $105 Million ‘Road to Repair’ package to address legacy of 1921 race massacre

by Black Politics Now
June 11, 2025
0
Tulsa Mayor unveils $105 Million ‘Road to Repair’ package to address legacy of 1921 race massacre

On the 104th anniversary of one of the most devastating acts of racial violence in American history, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols—the city's first Black mayor—announced a sweeping $105...

Read moreDetails

House Reconciliation Bill’s potential disproportionate impact on Black households

by Black Politics Now
May 29, 2025
0
House passes bill limiting federal judges’ nationwide injuctions

The U.S. House of Representatives has advanced the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a sweeping reconciliation package that has drawn sharp criticism from Congressional Black Caucus House members.

Read moreDetails

Federal judge rules Trump administration exceeded authority in attempt to dismantle US Institute of Peace

by Black Politics Now
May 22, 2025
0
6000.jpg

In a significant legal rebuke, U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell ruled on Monday that the Trump administration overstepped its authority in attempting to dismantle the U.S. Institute...

Read moreDetails

Trump administration budget proposes $163 billion in cuts to ‘woke’ federal programs

by Black Politics Now
May 3, 2025
0
white house

In a sweeping move to reshape federal spending, the Trump administration has unveiled a fiscal year 2026 budget proposal that seeks to eliminate or significantly reduce funding for...

Read moreDetails

Trump moves to repeal disparate impact liability

by Black Politics Now
April 28, 2025
0
white house

President Trump has taken steps to nullify a key component of the Civil Rights Act as he works to remove policies from the federal government.  One of the executive...

Read moreDetails
Next Post
Families demand justice and reform following police killings in Michigan

Families demand justice and reform following police killings in Michigan

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

Related News

Paramedic who injected Elijah McClain with ketamine avoids prison

Paramedic who injected Elijah McClain with ketamine avoids prison

January 6, 2025
Image Source: neaToday

More districts disproportionately disciplining Black, disabled students, state data shows

April 10, 2025
Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II has entered the governor’s race, joining a Democratic primary that already includes another statewide official. Erin Kirkland / Bloomberg / Getty Images file.

Garlin Gilchrist unveils bid to become Michigan’s first Black governor

March 12, 2025
Black Politics Now

Get informed on African American politics with "Black Politics Now," your ultimate source for political engagement.

CATEGORIES

  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Congressional Black Caucus
  • Criminal Justice
  • Data
  • Department of Justice
  • Diversity Initiatives
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Enviroment
  • Equity
  • Hate Crimes
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Investigations
  • Legal Defense Fund
  • NAACP
  • Policy
  • Real Estate
  • Reparations
  • Research
  • Sports
  • State Issues
  • Study
  • Supreme Court
  • Technology
  • Voter Rights
  • World

Quick Link

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of service
  • Contact us

Download Our App

© 2024 Black Politics Now | All Right Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Health
  • Policy
  • Reparations
  • Voter Rights
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
SUBSCRIBE

© 2024 Black Politics Now | All Right Reserved

Join the Movement, Subscribe Now!(Don't worry, we'll never spam you!)

Don’t miss a beat—get the latest news, inspiring stories, and in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to the Black community. Be part of the conversation and stay connected.

Enter your email address