Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Racial Reclassification and Political Identity Formation

Bibliographic Data

ID6412014
AuthorsDavid De Micheli (0000-0002-9437-2889, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume73
Issue1
Pages1-51
Publication date2021-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueWorld Politics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0043-8871 • E-ISSN: 1086-3338
PublisherProject MUSE (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1017/s0043887120000179
OpenAlexW3108678499
LanguageEN
Citations received22
References cited93

This article leverages a phenomenon of racial reclassification in Brazil to shed new light on the processes of identity politicization. Conventional wisdom tells us that race mixture, fluid racial boundaries, and stigmatized blackness lead Brazilians to change their racial identifications—to reclassify—toward whiteness. But in recent years, Brazilians have demonstrated a newfound tendency to reclassify toward blackness. The author argues that this sudden reversal is the unintended consequence of state-led educational expansion for the lower classes. Educational expansion has increased the exposure of newly mobile citizens to information, social networks, and the labor market, leading many to develop racialized political identities and choose blackness. The author develops and tests this argument by drawing on in-depth interview data, systematic analyses of national survey and longitudinal census data, and original survey experiments. This article contributes a novel account of identity politicization and emphasizes the interaction between social structures and citizenship institutions in these processes

Argument (complex analysis · Census · Citizenship · Identity (music · Identity formation · Longitudinal data · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Population · Race (biology · Racial politics · Self-concept · Social science · Sociology · State (computer science · Survey data collection · Unintended consequences · Critical Race Theory in Education · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Gender Studies · Law · Politics and Society in Latin America

  • From privileges to rights

    Open Access•Camille Giraut•Ethnic and Racial Studies•2024

  • Difference in difference

    Rasmus Elling, Katherine Harris•Ethnic and Racial Studies•2021

  • Improvements in data completeness in health information systems reveal racial inequalities

    Open Access•Ruy Coelho, Rudi Rocha et al.•International Journal for Equity…•2024

  • Education, perceived discrimination, and identity voting

    David De Micheli•Politics Groups and Identities•2024

  • Ethnoracial Hierarchies and Democratic Commitments

    Open Access•Jana Morgan, Nathan J Kelly•Perspectives on Politics•2025

  • The electoral consequences of racial fluidity

    Open Access•Antoni Janusz•Electoral Studies•2023

  • The Colors of Legislative Performance

    Open Access•René Rejón, Sergio A Bárcena Juárez et al.•Political Studies•2025

  • Immigration Shocks and Unfounded Concerns About Crime

    Fernando Severino, Giancarlo Visconti•The Journal of Politics•2025

  • Cabinet ministers and inequality

    Open Access•Despina Alexiadou•European Journal of Political…•2022

  • Quality or Complexion? Experience and Skin Tone as Determinants of Electoral Success in Mexico

    Open Access•René Rejón, Sergio A Bárcena Juárez•Social Science Quarterly•2025

  • Racial Reclassification and Political Identity Formation

    Open Access•David De Micheli•World Politics•2021

  • Imperfect measures of dynamic identities

    Open Access•Volodymyr Kulyk, Henry E Hale•Nations and Nationalism•2022

  • Automated transcoloration? Skin tone classification algorithms and the prominence of non-epidermic features in the Mexican racial schema

    Open Access•René Rejón•Ethnicities•2025

  • Shaping Ethnoracial Identities

    Mariana Giusti-Rodríguez•Comparative Politics•2024

  • The Pigmentocracy of Executive Approval

    Open Access•Swaran P Singh, Ryan E Carlin•Comparative Political Studies•2025

  • Overestimation of the Level of Democracy Among Citizens in Nondemocracies

    Open Access•Eddy S F Yeung•Comparative Political Studies•2023

  • Las Vidas Negras Importan

    Open Access•Danielle P Clealand•Annual Review of Political Science•2022

  • Electoral incentives and elite racial identification

    Open Access•Antoni Janusz•Electoral Studies•2021

  • Born Again French

    Open Access•Louise Caron, H Mcavay et al.•American Sociological Review•2023

  • Bolsonaro and the Black Vote

    Open Access•David De Micheli•Latin American Politics and Society•2023

  • Ethnic quotas and political representation in Colombia

    Open Access•René Rejón, Christina Ewig•Ethnic and Racial Studies•2025

  • Racial classification as a multistate process

    Open Access•Jeronimo Oliveira Muniz, Jerônimo Muniz et al.•Demographic Research•2024

  • Race and class in rural Brazil.

    Charles Wagley•Race and class in rural Brazil.•1952

  • Competitive ethnic relations

    Joane Nagel, Susan Olzak•Competitive ethnic relations•1986

  • Facing Up to the American Dream

    Jennifer L Hochschild•Facing up to the American Dream•1996

  • Boundaries of Contagion

    Evan S Lieberman, Eva Lieberman et al.•Boundaries of Contagion•2009

  • Making Race and Nation

    Open Access•Anthony W Marx•Making Race and Nation•1997

  • Traditional Politics and Regime Change in Brazil

    Open Access•Frances Hagopian•Traditional politics and regime…•1996

  • National Colors

    Mara Loveman•National Colors•2014

  • Rethinking Party Systems in the Third Wave of Democratization

    Scott Mainwaring, Scott P Mainwaring•Rethinking Party Systems in the…•1999

  • The Rise of Ethnic Politics in Latin America

    Open Access•Raúl L Madrid•Rise of Ethnic Politics in Latin…•2012

  • Becoming Black Political Subjects

    Open Access•Tianna S Paschel•Becoming Black Political Subjects•2016

  • Contesting Citizenship in Latin America

    Open Access•Deborah J Yashar•Contesting Citizenship in Latin…•2005

  • Race and Regionalism in the Politics of Taxation in Brazil and South Africa

    Open Access•Evan S Lieberman, Eva Lieberman•Race and Regionalism in the…•2003

  • Shades of Citizenship

    Melissa Nobles•Shades of Citizenship•2000

  • From protest to politics

    Katherine Tate•From protest to politics•1994

  • Ethnic groups and boundaries

    Fredrik Barth•Ethnic groups and boundaries•1969

  • Racism in a racial democracy

    France Winddance Twine•Racism in a racial democracy•1998

  • Citizenship and Social Class

    T H Marshall, Tom Bottomore•Citizenship and Social Class•1987

  • Partisan Publics

    Ann Mische•Partisan Publics•2009

  • Social Policy Expansion in Latin America

    Open Access•Candelaria Garay•Social Policy Expansion in Latin…•2016

  • Routledge Handbook of Brazilian Politics

    Barry Ames•Routledge Handbook of Brazilian…•2018

  • Census and Identity

    Open Access•David I Kertzer, Dominique Arel•Census and Identity•2001

  • Pigmentocracies

    Open Access•George Reid-Andrews, George Reid Andrews•Sociedad y Economía•2015

  • Exclusion by Elections

    Open Access•John D Huber•Exclusion by Elections•2017

  • The Color of Love

    Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman•Color of Love•2015

  • Legacies of Race

    Stanley R Bailey•Legacies of Race•2009

  • Race in Another America

    E Telles, Edward Eric Telles•Race in Another America•2004

  • Black into White

    Thomas E Skidmore•Black into White•1993

  • Institutions and Ethnic Politics in Africa

    Open Access•Daniel N Posner, Donald Posner•Institutions and Ethnic Politics…•2005

  • Ballot Structure, Candidate Race, and Vote Choice in Brazil

    Open Access•Rosario Aguilar, Saul Cunow et al.•Latin American Research Review•2015

  • Exit over Voice in Dominican Ethnoracial Politics

    Open Access•Danilo Antonio Contreras•Latin American Research Review•2016

  • Perceptions of Racial Discrimination among Black Professionals in Rio De Janeiro

    Open Access•Graziella Moraes Da Silva, Graziella Moraes Silva et al.•Latin American Research Review•2011

  • From "Racial Democracy" to Affirmative Action

    Open Access•M Htun•Latin American Research Review•2004

  • How States Make Race

    Open Access•Stanley R Bailey, Fabrício M Fialho et al.•Sociological Science•2018

  • Candidate race and electoral outcomes

    Antoni Janusz•Politics Groups and Identities•2017

  • Declining Inequality in Latin America in the 2000s

    Open Access•Nora Lustig, Luis F Lopez-Calva et al.•World Development•2012

  • Blacks and Whites in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1888-1988

    Susan De Vos, George Reid-Andrews et al.•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•1993

  • Educational Inequality by Race in Brazil, 1982–2007

    Open Access•L J Marteleto•Demography•2012

  • Is Parental Love Colorblind? Human Capital Accumulation within Mixed Families

    Open Access•Marcos A Rangel•The Review of Black Political…•2014

  • Claiming the State

    Gabrielle Kruks-Wisner•Claiming the State•2018

  • Identity in formation

    David D Laitin•Identity in formation•1998

  • Pigmentocracies

    Edward Telles•Pigmentocracies•2014

  • Racial Reclassification and Political Identity Formation

    Open Access•David De Micheli•World Politics•2021

  • Documents, Please

    Open Access•Wendy Hunter, Robert Brill•World Politics•2016

  • Census Enumeration and Group Conflict

    Open Access•Evan S Lieberman, Eva Lieberman et al.•World Politics•2017

  • Race, Resources, and Representation

    Open Access•Natália Bueno, Natália S Bueno et al.•World Politics•2017

  • Statistical Analysis of List Experiments

    Open Access•Graham Blair, Graeme Blair et al.•Political Analysis•2012

  • Regions of Exception

    Open Access•Thomas B Pepinsky•Perspectives on Politics•2017

  • Identities, Interests, and the Future of Political Science

    R M Smith•Perspectives on Politics•2004

  • Ethnic Parties and Democratic Stability

    Kanchan Chandra•Perspectives on Politics•2005

  • Multiracial versus Collective Black Categories

    Open Access•Stanley R Bailey, E Telles et al.•Ethnicities•2006

  • Group Membership, Group Identity, and Group Consciousness

    Paula D Mcclain, Jessica D Johnson Carew et al.•Annual Review of Political Science•2009

  • Race, Immigration, and the Identity-to-Politics Link

    Taeku Lee•Annual Review of Political Science•2008

  • Ethnic Competition and Modernization in Contemporary Africa

    Open Access•Robert H Bates•Comparative Political Studies•1974

  • Divisões perigosas

    Open Access•Carlos Linhares Veloso Filho, Juliana Fernandes Kabad•Cadernos de Saude Publica•2010

  • Racial Representation and Brazilian Politics

    Oscar Johnson, Ollie A Johnson Iii•Journal of Interamerican Studies…•1998

  • De Brancos para Negros? Uma Análise Longitudinal da Reclassificação Racial no Enem 2010-2016

    Open Access•Adriano Souza Senkevics•Dados•2022

  • Does Money Whiten? Intergenerational Changes in Racial Classification in Brazil

    Open Access•L F Schwartzman•American Sociological Review•2007

  • Endogenous Race in Brazil

    Andrew Francis-Tan, Andrew M Francis et al.•Economic Development and Cultural…•2013

  • Estimating the stability of census-based racial/ethnic classifications

    José Alberto Magno De Carvalho, Charles H Wood et al.•Population Studies•2004

  • Educação superior no Brasil contemporâneo

    Open Access•Ana Maria Gomes, Alfredo Macedo Gomes et al.•Educação & Sociedade•2012

  • The Making of Pro-life Activists

    Open Access•Benita Roth•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•2010

  • The Lost Constituency of Brazil's Black Movements

    Open Access•John Burdick•Latin American Perspectives•1998

  • O paradoxo da mistura

    Open Access•Graziella Moraes Silva, Luciana T De Souza Leão•Revista Brasileira de Ciências…•2012

  • Desigualdades raciais e políticas públicas

    Open Access•Márcia Lima•Novos Estudos - CEBRAP•2010

  • Campaign Strategies of Afro-Brazilian Politicians

    Open Access•Gladys Mitchell•Latin American Politics and Society•2009

  • Is It Race, Class, or Gender? The Sources of Perceived Discrimination in Brazil

    Open Access•Matthew L Layton, A E Smith•Latin American Politics and Society•2017

  • Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency, 1930-1970

    Doug Mcadam•Political process and the…•1999

  • A resurgence of black identity in Brazil? Evidence from an analysis of recent censuses

    Open Access•Vítor Miranda•Demographic Research•2015

  • Who Is Black, White, or Mixed Race? How Skin Color, Status, and Nation Shape Racial Classification in Latin America

    E Telles, Tianna S Paschel et al.•American Journal of Sociology•2014

  • Understanding Latin American Beliefs about Racial Inequality

    E Telles, Stanley R Bailey et al.•American Journal of Sociology•2013

  • The Race Construct and Public Opinion

    Stanley R Bailey•American Journal of Sociology•2002

  • Remaking Racial Inclusion

    Michelle Peria, Stanley R Bailey•Latin American and Caribbean…•2014

  • Seeing whites

    Graziella Moraes Silva, Luciana Souza Leão et al.•Ethnic and Racial Studies•2020

  • Inside the black box

    Andrew Francis-Tan, Maria Tannuri-Pianto•Ethnic and Racial Studies•2015

  • Brazil in black and white? Race categories, the census, and the study of inequality

    Mara Loveman, Jeronimo Oliveira Muniz et al.•Ethnic and Racial Studies•2012

  • Ethnicity as cognition

    Open Access•Rogers Brubaker, Mara Loveman et al.•Theory and Society•2004

  • Beyond 'identity

    Open Access•Rogers Brubaker, Frederick Cooper et al.•Theory and Society•2000

  • The social space and the genesis of groups

    Open Access•Pierre Bourdieu•Social Science Information•1985

Unique citing works22
Citations per year4,4
Citation span2021 - 2025 (5)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 22
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae