racial contract theory

Racial contract theory, developed by philosopher Charles W. Mills, suggests that society has historically been organized through an implicit agreement that privileges white people while marginalizing people of color. This "contract" is not a written document but a set of unspoken rules and assumptions that uphold racial inequalities in areas like justice, economics, and social status. It helps explain how systems and institutions maintain racial hierarchies, often benefiting one group at the expense of others. Essentially, it reveals the deeply embedded racial biases that shape societal structures and distributions of power.