Affirmative Action Under Fire

Abstract

The controversy over affirmative action has grown to such a point in recent years that many observers have questioned whether the policy can long endure. Legislation aimed at prohibiting the use of affirmative action has been introduced m numerous states. Gubernatorial orders or citizen initiatives to overturn affirmative action also have occurred. This article examines the rise of recent anti-affirmative action policy proposals. A modest positive relationship is found between the size of a state's minority population and the expression of anti-affirmative action sentiment Given the direction of current trends, affirmative action in the future is likely to be limited to programs typical of those m the early 1960s based on minority outreach and recruitment rather than the granting of preferences

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Adarand Constructors v. Pena (1995). 115 S. Ct. 2097.

Andirtzky, F.W. & Andirtzky, J.G. (1987). Affirmative action: The original meaning. Lincoln Law Review, 17, 249-273.

Ayres, B. Drummond, Jr. (1995, February 16). Conservatives forge new strategy to challenge affirmative action. New York Times , p. 1A.

Blalock, H.M. (1967). Toward a theory of minority group relations. New York: John Wiley.

Bureau of National Affairs (1997, March 26). Employment discrimination report. (Vol 8, No.13).

Coates, G. (1997, January 11 ). Foster takes aim at affirmative action. Houston Chronicle.

Corzine, J. , Creech, J. & Corzine, L. (1983). Black concentration and lynchings in the South: Testing Blalock's power-threat hypothesis. Social Forces , 61, 774-796.

Council of State Governments (1994-95). The book of the states. Lexington, KY: Author.

Fossett, M.A. & Kiecolt, J. (1989). The relative size of minority populations and white racial attitudes. Social Science Quarterly , 70, 820-835.

10.

Giles, M.W. & Hertz, K. (1994). Racial threat and partisan identification. American Political Science Review, 88, 317-326.

11.

Herring, M. (1990). Legislative responsiveness to black constituents in three deep South states. Journal of Politics , 52, 740-758.

12.

Holmes, S.A. (1995, March 16). Programs based on sex and race are under attack: Dole seeks elimination. New York Times , pp. 1A.

13.

Hopwood v. State of Texas (1996). 78 E 3d. 932, 5th Circuit Court.

14.

Jones, J.E., Jr. (1985). The genesis and present status of affirmative action in employment: Economic, legal, and political realities. Iowa Law Review, 70, 901-944.

15.

Jones, J.E., Jr. (1988). The origins of affirmative action. University of California, Davis Law Review, 21, 383-419.

16.

Kellough, J.E. (1992). Affirmative action in government employment. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science , 523, 117-130.

17.

Kellough, J.E. (1989). Federal Equal Employment Opportunity and numerical goals and timetables: An impact assessment. New York: Praeger Publishers.

18.

Klingman, D. & Lammers, W.W. (1984). The 'general policy liberalism' factor in American state politics. American Journal of Political Science , 28, 598-609.

19.

Morgan, D.R. & Wilson, L.A. (1990). Diversity in the states: Updating the Sullivan index. Polity, 30 , 71-81.

20.

Rosen, J. (1994, October 17). Is affirmative action doomed? The New Republic, pp. 25-35.

21.

Stephanopoulos, G. & Edley, C. Jr. (1995). Affirmative action review : Report to the President Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

22.

Trolin, B. , Felde, J. & Fox, K. (1997, January). Affirmative action: The debate. National Council of State Legislatures state legislative report

23.

Turner, J. (1997, May 14). Lawmaker will make initiative 200 his job. The News Tribune.

24.

Walker, J.L. (1969). The diffusion of innovations among the American states. American Political Science Review, 63, 880-899.