Discussion of Fullinwider and Lichtenberg's Leveling the Playing Field

Abstract

This article emphasizes the diversity argument for affirmative action and seeks to build on the discussion of it by Fullinwider and Lichtenberg. I try to defend a view of affirmative action that depends on the notion that what is required by justice is restoration of voice to those whose voices were unfairly excluded, and I claim that such a view does not presuppose perspective unity or depend on the idea that affirmative action benefits the education of all. I also take up what Fullinwider and Lichtenberg call the legitimacy argument. I claim that the legitimacy of American society does not depend on the representation of diverse groups in positions of leadership per se. It depends on not unfairly excluding people from positions of leadership. When a group has been unfairly excluded, affirmative action can be an effective tool for restoring legitimacy.

Keywords

affirmative action compensatory justice diversity legitimacy voice

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References

Fullinwider, R. and Lichtenberg, J. (2004) Leveling the Playing Field. New York: Rowman & Littlefield .

Gratz v. Bollinger 123 S. Ct. 2411 (2003).

Grutter v. Bollinger 123 S. Ct. 2325 (2003).

Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press .

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, 438 US 265 (1978).

Rothstein, R. (2004). Class and Schools: Using Social, Economic, and Educational Reform to Close the Black-White Achievement Gap. New York: Teachers College Press .