Gunnar Myrdal - An American Dilemma: The African American Problem and Modern Democracy. With the Assistance of - 1944

Myrdal, Gunnar. An American Dilemma. The African American Problem and Modern Democracy. With the Assistance of Richard Sterner and Arnold Rose. New York / London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1944. 1483 pages. LIX, (1), 1483 pp. 1 Volume. [First Edition], [First Impression]. The first edition appeared in both one volume and in two volumes. This is the one-volume edition. 24 cm. x 16,5 cm. Royal 8vo. Hardcover with dust jacket. Sewn binding. Provenance: Owner inscription with purchase date and place: 1944, New-York. Condition: Fine. Original full green cloth with gilt lettering to spine in the original dust-jacket. Not price-clipped.

An American Dilemma: The African American Problem and Modern Democracy by Gunnar Myrdal, first published in 1944, is a groundbreaking study that examines race relations in the United States, focusing on the systemic challenges African-Americans faced in fully participating in American society. Commissioned by the Carnegie Foundation, this extensive work is the product of Myrdal's in-depth research, supported by numerous scholars, analyzing the barriers to equality for African-Americans. The book highlights the contrast between America's democratic ideals and the reality of segregation and racism. Myrdal introduces the "vicious circle" theory, which posits that racial discrimination both causes and is caused by African-Americans' lower socioeconomic status, perpetuating racial inequality. The book argues that democracy will ultimately triumph over racism, and this optimistic view had a significant impact, influencing not only public opinion but also crucial policy and legal decisions, such as the 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Myrdal's work is regarded as a milestone in the study of race relations and paved the way for modern policies of racial integration and affirmative action.

Gunnar Myrdal (1898-1987) was a renowned Swedish economist and sociologist, awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1974. Born in Sweden, Myrdal had a prolific academic career, marked by his interest in economic and social issues. He is best known for his work on race relations in the United States, culminating in the publication of An American Dilemma. This book, funded by the Carnegie Foundation, is considered one of his most significant contributions, not only for its depth of analysis but also for its direct impact on U.S. public policy. In 1950, Myrdal also signed the UNESCO statement "The Race Question," which rejected the idea of a biological basis for race and promoted the equality of all human beings. Throughout his career, Myrdal was a staunch advocate for social justice and democracy, and his work continues to influence contemporary debates on equality and civil rights.