Affirmative Action
Definition
Affirmative action is a policy that aims to increase opportunities in the workplace or education for underrepresented parts of society by considering race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Analogy
Think of affirmative action like a balancing scale. If one side (a particular group) has been historically weighed down due to discrimination or lack of opportunities, affirmative action adds some weight to their side to level the playing field.
Related terms
Discrimination: Unfair treatment of different categories of people based on characteristics such as race, age, or sex.
Civil Rights Act (1964): A landmark law in the United States that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools and workplaces.
Quota System: A system often associated with affirmative action policies where a certain percentage of opportunities are specifically reserved for certain minority groups.
"Affirmative Action" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (20+)
What is the purpose of affirmative action?
Which is an argument typically made against affirmative action?
What do opponents of affirmative action argue?
What do proponents of affirmative action argue?
How does affirmative action demonstrate the balance between majority and minority rights?
Why has the practice of affirmative action remained a significant topic within United States government policies?
Which U.S Supreme Court case upheld affirmative action, allowing race to be one factor considered by college admissions officers?
In which institution is affirmative action most commonly discussed?
What is one primary criticism of Affirmative Action?
In what way does the Equal Protection Clause relate to affirmative action?
Who benefits from Affirmative Action according to its original intent?
Which act first introduced affirmative action into law?
What is one key difference between affirmative action and equal opportunity legislation?
What impact did Executive Order No.11246 have on affirmative action?
What constitutional principle does opposition to affirmative action often cite?
Which of the following is a common criticism of affirmative action?
How does the approach of Colorblind Policies compare with that of Race-Conscious Policies in context of affirmative action?
What distinguishes De Facto segregation from De Jure segregation in relation to Affirmative Action?
How has affirmative action impacted political representation within local and state governments?
How has affirmative action influenced military recruitment and promotions?
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