Political Science and International Relations

Affirmative action policies draw as much strong criticism as strong support. Analyze this statement in the context of equality. UPSC 2023 Paper 1A Qn 3b Affirmative action policies are designed to address historical injustices and systemic inequalities by providing preferential treatment to disadvantaged groups. While these policies aim to promote equality, they remain a subject of fierce debate. This statement, “Affirmative action policies draw as much strong criticism as strong support,” can be analyzed in the context of equality by examining the tension between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome, and the competing moral and political philosophies that underpin these positions. Support for Affirmative Action: Towards Equality of Outcome Proponents of affirmative action argue that these policies are necessary to ensure substantive equality by addressing historical and structural inequalities that have left marginalized groups at a significant disadvantage. The idea ...

Comment on Affirmative action. UPSC 2016 Paper 1A Qn 1c, UPSC 2021 Paper 1A Qn 1b Affirmative action aims to address historical and systematic inequalities. It institutes positive discrimination to prevent or counteract traditional prejudicial practices.  The motive is to reverse the historical trends of discrimination and to create equality of opportunity for qualified persons. It aims to restructure society through the elimination of culturally sanctioned strategies that defend racial/gender superiority and pride of position. Affirmative action is any measure, policy, or law used to increase diversity or rectify discrimination so that qualified individuals have equal access to employment, education, business, and contracting opportunities. Justification for Affirmative action - As Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "There is no greater inequality than the equal treatment of unequals." Here, arises the need for such positive discrimination which would make humanity more...