From inequality to equality : evaluating normative justifications for affirmative action as racial redress
Date
2014-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SUNMeDIA
Abstract
We investigate whether, and to what extent, Nozick’s entitlement theory and Rawls’s theory of justice as fairness can normatively ground affirmative action policies. Our findings are that, whereas the Nozickean project offers no guidance for large-scale redress, the Rawlsian position supports affirmative action as redress, but only in its softer forms. Therefore, if one accepts the assumptions of equal liberty and fairness upon which Rawls’s theory is based, one is left with two alternatives: either to reject Rawls’s theory because it fails to support quota systems, or to accept Rawls’s theory and reject quota systems as a legitimate form of redress. We argue for the latter option.
Description
CITATION: Hall, S. & Woermann, M. 2014. From inequality to equality: evaluating normative justifications for affirmative action as racial redress. African Journal of Business Ethics, 8(2):59-73, doi:10.15249/8-2-85.
The original publication is available at http://ajobe.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/85
The original publication is available at http://ajobe.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/85
Keywords
Affirmative action programs, Rawls, John, Fairness, Business ethics
Citation
Hall, S. & Woermann, M. 2014. From inequality to equality: evaluating normative justifications for affirmative action as racial redress. African Journal of Business Ethics, 8(2):59-73, doi:10.15249/8-2-85.