Affirmative Action and Beyond: A Case for a Backward-Looking Gender- and Race-Based Policy

Abstract

This article defends race- and gender-based affirmative action against recent attacks by liberals and conservatives. It argues that a need-based approach is not an adequate substitute for the present practice. It makes this argument by demonstrating that there are three independent moral foundations for a race and gender approach to affirmative action and that these are not adequately met by the need-based alternative.