Affirmative Action: A Synthesis of Competing Distributive and Compensatory Models
Abstract
Affirmative action remains one of the more divisive issues on the Civil Rights agenda. Recent Congressional battle over the Civil Right Act of 1991 focus the debate on quotas and claims of reverse discrimination. This study goes beyond the issue of quotas, and concentrates instead on the underlying justifications for affirmative action programs. The Supreme Court originally used an affirmative action model, which stressed the redistribution of resources along racial lines. Later, this model was challenged by a compensatory model, affirmative action is limited to a remedial role when overt discrimination has already been established. Both of these models have serious shortcoming. The distributive model creates controversial group based rights, while the compensatory model advances a narrow definition of radical discrimination. This study analyzes the two major affirmative action models and proposes a new framework for debate base on the 'equitable enfrachisement' of disadvantaged individuals. It is argued that socio-economic characteristics rather than strict racial classifications serve as more effective and equitable triggers in entry level affirmative action programs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 17, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA270811
Entities
People
- Patrick M. Keane
Organizations
- United States Naval Academy