Statistical discrimination and affirmative action in the lab

Discrimination and Affirmative Action

The word discrimination is used loosely to encapsulate negative ideas surrounding the practice. In the case of affirmative action admissions policies at the University of Michigan, discrimination is used to justify an unjust practice. Generally, when affirmative action is debated, it is considered from a singular perspective (i.e., it is wrong or it is right). Most ignore that admissions polici...

Affirmative Action in a Two Stage Statistical Discrimination Model

We investigate the effect of affirmative action policies in a statistical discrimination model with two stages. A group of workers face discrimination in both hiring and promotion decisions of the firm, and the regulator is free to intervene in both stages. We show that there are affirmative action policies which can eliminate negative employer beliefs by increasing educational investment in th...

Theories of Statistical Discrimination and Affirmative Action: A Survey*

This chapter surveys the theoretical literature on statistical discrimination and affirmative action. This literature suggests different explanations for the existence and persistence of group inequality. This survey highlights such differences and describes in these contexts the effects of color-sighted and color-blind affirmative action policies, and the efficiency implications of discriminat...

Discrimination, Affirmative Action, and Equal Opportunity

Discrimination and Disidentification: The Fair-Start Defense of Affirmative Action

The Fair-Start Defense justifies affirmative action preferences as a response to harms caused by raceand sex-based discrimination. Rather than base a justification for preferences on the traditional appeal to self-esteem, I argue they are justified in virtue of the effects institutional discrimination has on the goals and aspirations of its victims. In particular, I argue that institutional dis...