Toward an Explanation of the Racial Liberalism of American Jews

Abstract

Jews are more likely to be liberal on racial-political issues than non- Jewish whites, even after controlling for factors such as educational achievement and ideology. Propositions derived from attribution theory are used to explain the residual difference between Jews and non-Jews. I argue that Jews are less likely than other whites to attribute Black circum stances to their personal characteristics, which, according to attribution theory, is a very natural response to outgroups, and more likely to explain the Black condition as the product of external forces. These attributions, in turn, have a liberalizing effect on Jewish racial attitudes. Finally, I specu late that Jews characterize Blacks differently because of their experience as part of an often ostracized minority. It is those Jews most likely to have experienced this status (older Jews) who are most distinctive in their at tributions and their racial-political attitudes.