The Politics and Economics of Race in Carnoy's AmericaMartin Carnoy wanted to address one of the most difficult, emotional, and political topics in American history. Faded Dreams: The Politics and Economics of Race in America addresses the issue of economic inequalities among minorities. For the last century, material possessions have been the symbol of success and value in our nation's society. Carnoy argues that efforts to improve technology have changed over the last century, but the social problems in our nation continue. Carnoy agrees that improvements have been made in the lives of minorities in America, but they have not been sufficient or have been dismantled. It focuses on three reasons: “individual responsibility”, “persuasive racism” and “economic restructuring”. “Individual responsibility” refers to the issue that each person is the creator of their own economic and social future. “Individual responsibility” presupposes that markets are open to all. These markets reward those based on their worth and minorities are worth less than whites because they don't want a good education, a good job and improvements in their lives. According to Carnoy, explanations based on “individual responsibility” place the blame for the persistent poverty of minorities on the poor choices made by two social actors: the minorities themselves and the white politicians trying to solve the problem of poverty. Minorities have chosen to play the role of “victims” when the conditions that made them victims have disappeared. White politicians continued to provide solutions to the poverty of minorities who were “victims,” thereby keeping minorities “stuck” in dependent status. Carnoy says minorities have benefited from everything they can, but programs and legislation have continually abandoned their initial cause of helping minorities. Minorities simply need to work harder and the government needs to carry out its plans to help minorities. “Persuasive racism” refers to the issue of racial discrimination. Carnoy says there are two explanations for racial discrimination. The first places racism on an individual and collective level. White prejudice produces disadvantage and poverty for minorities, further creating prejudice by creating whites' opinions of blacks. Carnoy says that over time, white business owners have discriminated against blacks and minorities by paying them less and placing them in lower positions. The second explanation states that today's governments and markets are constantly distorted. Minorities could never “reach” white society, no matter what they did, because there is ongoing racism.