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Justifying Affirmative Action: Perception and Reality
Author(s) -
McHarg Aileen,
Nicolson Donald
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of law and society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.263
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1467-6478
pISSN - 0263-323X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-6478.2006.00344.x
Subject(s) - affirmative action , strengths and weaknesses , politics , action (physics) , perception , political science , law and economics , law , sociology , social psychology , epistemology , psychology , physics , quantum mechanics , philosophy
This article surveys developments in United Kingdom law and policy which require, permit or are more accommodating towards, the use of affirmative action. It then considers the various justifications that can be used in support of affirmative action and their philosophical and political strengths and weaknesses. Finally, it advocates a strategic approach to the justification and use of affirmative action, taking account of relevant political, contextual, pragmatic, and practical considerations.