Affirmative Action Around the World: How It Has Failed

In his book "Affirmative Action Around the World," Thomas Sowell presents a comprehensive analysis of affirmative action policies in various countries, demonstrating their widespread failure and unintended consequences. Sowell argues that affirmative action, while well-intentioned, often leads to negative outcomes, including the lowering of standards, the creation of resentment, and the perpetuation of racial and ethnic divisions.

A Global Perspective on Affirmative Action

Sowell begins by examining affirmative action policies in the United States, where they have been implemented for several decades. He argues that affirmative action has failed to achieve its intended goals of increasing diversity and promoting equal opportunity. Instead, it has led to a decline in academic standards, as universities lower their admission requirements to accommodate underrepresented groups. This has resulted in a situation where many students are admitted to institutions where they are not academically prepared, leading to high dropout rates and a decline in the overall quality of education.

Sowell then turns his attention to affirmative action policies in other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and Malaysia. He finds that, while the specific policies vary from country to country, the results are generally similar: affirmative action has failed to achieve its intended goals and has often led to negative consequences.

The Unintended Consequences of Affirmative Action

Sowell argues that affirmative action policies have a number of unintended consequences, including:

• The lowering of standards: Affirmative action policies often lead to the lowering of admission standards for underrepresented groups, which can result in a decline in the overall quality of education.
• The creation of resentment: Affirmative action policies can create resentment among those who feel that they are being discriminated against because of their race or ethnicity. This can lead to social unrest and division.
• The perpetuation of racial and ethnic divisions: Affirmative action policies can perpetuate racial and ethnic divisions by creating a sense of entitlement among underrepresented groups and a sense of resentment among those who feel that they are being discriminated against.

A Better Way Forward

Sowell argues that affirmative action is not the best way to achieve diversity and equal opportunity. He proposes a number of alternative policies that he believes would be more effective, including:

• Need-based financial aid: Providing financial aid to students from low-income families, regardless of their race or ethnicity, would help to level the playing field and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in college.
• School choice: Allowing students to choose the schools that they attend would give them more control over their education and would help to ensure that they are placed in schools where they can succeed.
• Mentoring and tutoring programs: Providing mentoring and tutoring programs for students from disadvantaged backgrounds can help them to overcome the challenges they face and succeed in school.

Sowell concludes that affirmative action is a failed policy that has not achieved its intended goals and has led to a number of unintended consequences. He argues that there are better ways to achieve diversity and equal opportunity, and he calls for a shift in focus away from affirmative action and towards policies that are based on individual merit and need.

Conclusion

"Affirmative Action Around the World" is a must-read for anyone interested in the issue of affirmative action. Sowell's comprehensive analysis of affirmative action policies in various countries provides a clear and compelling case against this misguided policy. He argues that affirmative action has failed to achieve its intended goals and has led to a number of unintended consequences, including the lowering of standards, the creation of resentment, and the perpetuation of racial and ethnic divisions. Sowell proposes a number of alternative policies that he believes would be more effective in achieving diversity and equal opportunity. This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the complex issue of affirmative action and its impact on society.