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 Periodical article |
 Leiden University catalogue |
 WorldCat |
| Title: | Affirmative Action in South Africa: A Genuine Option? |
| Author: | Maphai, Vincent T. |
| Year: | 1989 |
| Periodical: | Social Dynamics |
| Volume: | 15 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Period: | December |
| Pages: | 1-24 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | South Africa |
| Subjects: | labour recruitment women's employment employment Blacks Politics and Government Ethnic and Race Relations Law, Human Rights and Violence |
| External link: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02533958908458471 |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses the application of affirmative action in South Africa in a particular area, namely when disadvantaged people, here blacks and women, are given preferential access to certain positions at work. The article first examines the American legacy, the concept of affirmative action finding its roots in the United States. Then follows a comparative survey of affirmative action in the United States and in South Africa which shows that affirmative action is not a genuine option in the South African system of institutionalized racism: it is impossible for a society unwilling to give blacks equal opportunity to be ready nevertheless to offer them preferential treatment against whites. Still, in a few limited cases, affirmative action can be initiated, notably when the focus is on black advancement. The author continues by examining two objections against affirmative action. The first objection, which is refuted by the author, is that by discriminating against whites in favour of blacks, affirmative action is as immoral as apartheid itself. The second objection, which is affirmed, is that in practice affirmative action is often counter-productive. Bibliogr., sum. |
