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Words Worth of Wisdom: Toward an Understanding of Affirmative Action
Author(s) -
Crosby Faye J.,
Cordova Diana I.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.1996.tb01847.x
Subject(s) - affirmative action , argument (complex analysis) , equal opportunity , action (physics) , foundation (evidence) , law and economics , political science , positive economics , sociology , law , economics , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics
This article lays a conceptual foundation that is needed if social scientists and policymakers are to design and implement fair and effective affirmative action programs. Because the policy of affirmative action is oftentimes misunderstood, the article starts with definitions and contrasts affirmative action with equal opportunity. We argue that affirmative action is a necessary policy if organizations are to be fair. Finally, we conclude by reviewing the relevant empirical literature in support of this argument.