In Defense of Affirmative Action
Worth buying if: You want an economist's take on affirmative action and labor-market outcomes.
Skip it if: You seek a purely philosophical treatise without empirical economic evidence.
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Summary
In Defense of Affirmative Action (1997) by Barbara R. Bergmann offers a compact, evidence-driven argument for race- and gender-conscious policies, blending economic analysis with case studies to rebut common criticisms and explain practical policy design.
Why this book now
Bergmann's HarperCollins case for race- and gender-conscious policy remains a pointed corrective amid renewed legal and political debates over affirmative action.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You want an economist's take on affirmative action and labor-market outcomes.
- You appreciate Barbara R. Bergmann's use of case studies and clear policy examples.
- You seek a purely philosophical treatise without empirical economic evidence.
- You want a modern overview covering post-1997 Supreme Court decisions.
- You need the newest edition, freshest examples, or the most current framing.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780465098347
Worth buying if: You want an economist's take on affirmative action and labor-market outcomes.
Skip it if: You seek a purely philosophical treatise without empirical economic evidence.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Light Short sit-downs
At about 224 pages, this concise HarperCollins paperback reads as a few focused sittings of policy argument and supporting data rather than a multi-volume history.
What stands out here
This 1997 edition foregrounds Bergmann's empirical economic perspective and practical policy recommendations, reflecting the late-20th-century policy debates she addresses.
Best way to approach it
Approach it as a policy primer: follow the economic examples and case studies, pause on data tables, and treat chapters as standalone briefs to revisit when debating specific objections.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780465098347
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.