Recognition and Disregard: The Relationship Between Racial Apathy and Liberal Reforms on Monetary Sanctions

Abstract

We extend prior studies on racial apathy and monetary sanctions by uncovering the relationship between the two within the realm of preferences for liberal reforms. Our study draws upon the Chicago Area Finances Survey, 2019 to answer three basic questions: (1) Is racial apathy an empirically distinct form of modern prejudice? (2) Is racial apathy of political consequence for liberal reforms on monetary sanctions? (3) Does racial apathy influence other groups besides whites? The reforms we measure feature policies that address the growing debt tied to legal infractions, including the establishment of monthly payment plans, permitting legal debt to be exchanged for community service, and fulfilling debt obligations with the completion of programs that enhance human capital. We find that racial apathy is especially relevant for predicting who withholds support for liberal reforms on monetary sanctions.