Words Worth of Wisdom: Toward an Understanding of Affirmative Action

Abstract

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.