Sharecropper Finance: Using the Justice System as a Public Revenue Source. (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blessett, Brandi; Box, Richard C.
• Is Part Of: Public integrity. Volume 18:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 113
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: justice system -- Ferguson -- sharecropping -- critical race theory -- ethics -- African American; Civil service ethics -- United States -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects -- United States -- Periodicals; Political ethics -- United States -- Periodicals; Civil service ethics -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; Political ethics -- Periodicals; Civil service ethics; Political ethics; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects; United States; PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION; CIVIL SERVICE; MORAL ASPECTS; POLITICAL ETHICS; Periodicals; 172
• DOI: 10.1080/10999922.2015.1111742
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1099-9922

Abstract

Abstract : Fines and fees charged to lower-income people, mostly African Americans, have long been a mainstay of the revenue stream for the city of Ferguson, Missouri, and other local governments. One outcome of this practice is financial dependency that limits the life-choices of the affected population. This current policy issue shares characteristics with the much older technique of sharecropping, suggesting a long-term pattern of financial exploitation based on race. The authors use a critical race theory framework to examine the question of administrative ethics raised by this practice.