Affirmative action represents a normative and institutional mechanism aimed at redressing historically entrenched inequalities and ensuring substantive rather than merely formal equality of opportunity. In deeply stratified societies—marked by hierarchies of caste, race, gender, or class—mere non-discrimination does not suffice to level the playing field. Instead, affirmative action seeks to dismantle the structural barriers that … Continue reading Why is the principle of affirmative action considered essential for ensuring substantive equality of opportunity in stratified societies? Critically examine its theoretical justifications, policy instruments, and sociopolitical implications within democratic constitutional frameworks.
Tag: Rawls and affirmative action
How do affirmative action policies simultaneously attract strong support and criticism, and what does this dual response reveal about competing conceptions of equality and justice in democratic societies?
Affirmative Action and the Politics of Equality: Competing Conceptions of Justice in Democratic Societies AbstractAffirmative action policies, designed to rectify historical injustices and promote social inclusion, remain among the most debated instruments of democratic governance. While widely supported as tools for compensatory justice and equality of opportunity, they also attract criticism for allegedly violating meritocracy … Continue reading How do affirmative action policies simultaneously attract strong support and criticism, and what does this dual response reveal about competing conceptions of equality and justice in democratic societies?