The emerging demographic and political presence of Latinos in the United
States has moved the discussion of race relations beyond the terms of black and white. Using a
variety of theoretical approaches, Betina Cutaia Wilkinson assesses Latinos', blacks', and
whites' perceptions of commonality and opposition in order to reach a more nuanced understanding
of the factors affecting political competition versus cooperation among these groups. In the
most comprehensive analysis of Latino, black, and white relations to date, Wilkinson explores
the extent to which these groups regard each other as partners or rivals and uncovers the
motivations that contribute to those views. Relying on national survey and
focus group data, the author examines how social interaction; feelings of identification with
members of their own group and others; and individuals' sense of power as established by
their racial, economic, and political surroundings impact interracial attitudes. Her findings,
like the complex racial dynamics she studies, are not easily reducible to simple formulae, yet
they have strong implications for the formation of interracial coalitions. For example, even if
social contact generally decreases racial and ethnic hostility, the disadvantaged status of
Latinos and blacks tends to impede cooperation and ramp up rivalry, leaving members of both
groups more inclined to form coalitions with whites than with each other. Yet contextual factors
in particular jurisdictions, such as the availability of quality education and higher wages
overall, can mitigate antagonism and increase the likelihood of cooperation.
Ultimately, Partners or Rivals? provides a timely account of
contemporary race relations and the prospects for interracial and interethnic cooperation,
pinpointing the sometimes surprising factors that have a realistic chance of improving those
prospects.