Theories of inequality: theories of racism

Theories of Racism: Overview

Racism is a system of inequality based on race, typically associated with the belief that some races are inherently superior or inferior to others.
Racism can manifest both on a personal level and as institutional or systemic racism, maintaining structural inequalities between different racial and ethnic groups.

Scientific Racism

Some historic theories of racism, now widely discredited, used scientific arguments to legitimise the perceived superiority or inferiority of different races. This is often termed scientific racism.

Racism as a Social Construct

Most contemporary sociological theories understand race and racism as social constructs rather than biological realities.
These theories recognise that racial categories are arbitrarily defined and shaped by societal beliefs and attitudes rather than inherent differences.

Conflict Theory and Racism

Conflict theorists see racism as a tool used by the ruling class to divide and control the population.
By fostering discord among different racial and ethnic groups, the powerful can maintain their hold over resources and social advantages.

Symbolic Interactionism and Racism

The symbolic interactionist perspective focuses on how race and racism are understood and perpetuated in everyday interactions.
It explores how racial identities are formed and negotiated, and how racial stereotypes and prejudices are communicated and reinforced.

Structural Vs Individual Racism

A key distinction made in the sociology of racism is between personal or individual racism and institutional or structural racism.
Personal racism describes the prejudices, biases, and discriminatory behaviours of individuals, while institutional racism is about structural and systemic practices that disadvantage certain racial groups.

Critical Race Theory

Critical Race Theory (CRT) critiques how the law and legal institutions perpetuate racial inequalities.
It explores how racism is embedded in social, political, and legal structures, maintaining racial hierarchy and limiting opportunities for people of colour.

Intersectionality and Racism

The theory of intersectionality highlights that experiences of racism can intersect with other forms of discrimination, such as sexism or classism.
This perspective emphasises that people have multi-dimensional identities and consequently unique experiences of oppression.

Limitations in Theories of Racism

Criticisms levelled at theories of racism include over-simplification of complex social phenomena, overemphasis on the systemic nature of racism to the negation of personal agency, and failing to fully account for the intersections of race with other forms of social and economic inequality.
Further, they can overlook the importance of challenging and changing individual attitudes towards race to address systemic racism effectively.