A brilliant model of affirmative action – on reservation

Source: The post is based on the article “A brilliant model of affirmative action– In light of the recent US Supreme Court decision on race-based admissions, the Indian model of reservations in both jobs and education holds valuable lessons” published in “ Business standard” on 11th August 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

News: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against race-based admissions. In this article author compares this to India’s quota system. He also refere Dr. Clark’s view that genes affect social status, raising doubts about affirmative action’s impact on social mobility.

What is affirmative action?

Affirmative action is a policy aimed at increasing opportunities for historically marginalized groups. It involves giving preferential treatment in areas like education and employment. For instance, colleges might consider race as a factor in admissions. In India, reservations in education and government jobs are a form of affirmative action. This approach intends to address past discrimination and create more diverse and inclusive societies.

What is the constitutional difference in affirmative action between India and the USA?

USA’s Constitutional Stance on Affirmative Action:

Basis: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled based on the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, which emphasizes equality without race bias.

Implementation: The Court permits considering race in admissions only to encourage a diverse student body. There can’t be fixed racial quotas. Moreover, race-based admissions should not be permanent and must conclude eventually.

Examples: The University of North Carolina and Harvard College seemingly set racial quotas, contradicting the constitutional guidelines.

India’s Constitutional Approach to Affirmative Action:

Basis: The Indian Constitution provides quotas for specific groups like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Economically Weaker Sections.

Implementation: These quotas are applied primarily to government institutions, both in education and employment. The emphasis is on representing these groups at various societal levels.

Distinct Feature: Unlike the U.S., India hasn’t set a definite endpoint for these reservations, understanding that elevating disadvantaged groups might be a prolonged process.

What are the impacts of affirmative action?

Perceived Benefits of Affirmative Action:

Diversity in Education: Affirmative action promotes a racially diverse student body in universities, as seen in the U.S. Supreme Court’s allowance for race-based admissions.

Representation: In India, specific groups like Scheduled Castes and Tribes get representation in government institutions due to quotas.

Challenges and Criticisms:

Social Mobility: Gregory Clark’s book suggests that affirmative action might not significantly improve social mobility. He believes genes play a considerable role in determining social status.

Duration of Impact: Clark’s findings indicate that while those lower in the social order may eventually rise, the pace is very slow, taking around 300 years.

Effectiveness: The U.S. model is perceived as weak, especially after the recent ruling, whereas India’s robust system seeks representation in education and jobs without setting an end date for reservations.

What should be done?

Re-evaluate Affirmative Action: Considering the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, there’s a need to assess the effectiveness of race-based admissions.

Broaden Approaches: Look at comprehensive models like India’s which provides quotas for specific groups in education and jobs.

Focus on Representation: Ensure diverse representation across societal levels, as India’s model does without setting an endpoint for reservations.

Alternative Measures: Explore options like redistribution through progressive taxation or higher minimum wages, inspired by Nordic countries.

Private Sector Inclusion: Given the limited scope of affirmative action in government institutions in India, consider extending reservations to the private sector for broader impact.