Final answer:
Little change in economic mobility from 1971 to 1993 can be attributed to increasing income inequality and possible economic policies favoring the wealthy, as well as broader societal and technological changes that affected different segments of the workforce unevenly. The correct option is b,c,d.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks why there was little change in economic mobility from 1971 to 1993. Looking at the given information and concepts, we can assess the different options provided. During this period, income inequality increased, suggesting that option (a) is incorrect.
Option (b) may have some merit, as economic policies can certainly influence economic mobility, especially if they disproportionately benefit the wealthy. Option (c) is unsupported in this context, as improvements in educational opportunities typically lead to greater mobility, which contradicts the statement of little change in mobility.
Option (d) implies a positive intervention, but the increasing income inequality stated suggests that government interventions may not have been effective enough to boost economic mobility significantly.
Without additional specific evidence for the exact impact of policy or educational opportunity changes during this period, however, we should consider the broader social and technological changes mentioned. The rise of new information and communications technology likely had varying effects on different segments of the workforce.
Structural changes such as outsourcing and recessions, as mentioned in the context provided, could have contributed to a level of economic mobility that remained relatively stable despite these broader societal shifts. The correct option is b,c,d.