Ask New Question
Sign In
Quora uses cookies to improve your experience. Read more
Why wasn't reservation introduced for "blacks" in US constitution (like in India) even when they were tortured brutally as slaves?
Answer Wiki
6 Answers
Anonymous
You are asking this question under "Reservation in India", but you are asking about "reservations" in the context of US. In the US, it is known as "Affirmative Action".
However, "Affirmative Action" in the US is fundamentally extremely different from how reservation is implemented in India.
In India, reservations affect a full 50% of eligible seats. In the US the proportion is significantly lower. Since quotas are constitutionally illegal in the US (what a concept!), the exact percentage is unknown.
Different types of inequalities - whether it is economic (don't get access to the best teachers), racial (historically discriminated - leading to poor economic conditions) or otherwise, all have a tendency to negatively affect a student's chances to enter higher education. The key question is - how can the admissions system be fairly adjusted to account for this?
The constitutionality of Affirmative Action has been repeatedly challenged. So far, the US Supreme Court has been very clear - There is valid a case for trying to make some adjustments, but those adjustments have to be minimal
Affirmative action (...a small plus factor...)
Affirmative action in the United States
The reason is quite obvious. When you make minor adjustments, you are talking about two candidates who likely would have had similar potential, but for the underlying inequalities. When you start making large adjustments - such as reserving a full 50% of seats for special treatment, you are beginning to indulge in reverse discrimination.
It says something when Judge Clarence Thomas, someone you would otherwise think as supportive of affirmative action, is highly opposed to it. As he mentions, there is a fundamental assumption of racial inferiority in most affirmative action schemes. There is an assumption that Blacks (or SC/ST/OBC) are not "good enough" and therefore need "special treatment"
Affirmative action in the United States
Side Note: Reservations in India also include reservations in government employment. In US, there is nothing even remotely as intrusive - what they have is "Equal Opportunity", which protects against discrimination in recruiting practices - for example, setting a test that by design, only a certain demographic can answer well, or avoiding recruiting in schools that have a higher percentage of African American or Latino graduates etc.
Equal opportunity
Now, as to the second part of your hypothesis, that "reservations" have benefited African Americans - I am not so sure whether that benefit is significant. The African American community has likely benefited a lot more, by the economic growth, and the corresponding improvement in living standards.
Do you know that garbage delivery men can earn significant amount of money in the US? So while in India, they are socially reviled, and paid next to nothing, in the US, they can sometimes earn $100K+ - you heard me - more than 60 lakhs... likely more than some CEOs in India.
Economic equality, driven by sustained growth, has likely a much better chance of removing caste-based inequality in India. If that happens, everyone will not join the crazy rush for being a doctor or engineer, even though they are likely not qualified for that position (based on the admission criteria for the open category). They can be an artist, entrepreneur, athlete, or any of the multitude of other economically viable options - rather than forcing their way into a course/degree that they are likely intellectually unprepared for.
However, "Affirmative Action" in the US is fundamentally extremely different from how reservation is implemented in India.
In India, reservations affect a full 50% of eligible seats. In the US the proportion is significantly lower. Since quotas are constitutionally illegal in the US (what a concept!), the exact percentage is unknown.
Different types of inequalities - whether it is economic (don't get access to the best teachers), racial (historically discriminated - leading to poor economic conditions) or otherwise, all have a tendency to negatively affect a student's chances to enter higher education. The key question is - how can the admissions system be fairly adjusted to account for this?
The constitutionality of Affirmative Action has been repeatedly challenged. So far, the US Supreme Court has been very clear - There is valid a case for trying to make some adjustments, but those adjustments have to be minimal
Affirmative action (...a small plus factor...)
Affirmative action in the United States
The reason is quite obvious. When you make minor adjustments, you are talking about two candidates who likely would have had similar potential, but for the underlying inequalities. When you start making large adjustments - such as reserving a full 50% of seats for special treatment, you are beginning to indulge in reverse discrimination.
It says something when Judge Clarence Thomas, someone you would otherwise think as supportive of affirmative action, is highly opposed to it. As he mentions, there is a fundamental assumption of racial inferiority in most affirmative action schemes. There is an assumption that Blacks (or SC/ST/OBC) are not "good enough" and therefore need "special treatment"
Affirmative action in the United States
Side Note: Reservations in India also include reservations in government employment. In US, there is nothing even remotely as intrusive - what they have is "Equal Opportunity", which protects against discrimination in recruiting practices - for example, setting a test that by design, only a certain demographic can answer well, or avoiding recruiting in schools that have a higher percentage of African American or Latino graduates etc.
Equal opportunity
Now, as to the second part of your hypothesis, that "reservations" have benefited African Americans - I am not so sure whether that benefit is significant. The African American community has likely benefited a lot more, by the economic growth, and the corresponding improvement in living standards.
Do you know that garbage delivery men can earn significant amount of money in the US? So while in India, they are socially reviled, and paid next to nothing, in the US, they can sometimes earn $100K+ - you heard me - more than 60 lakhs... likely more than some CEOs in India.
Economic equality, driven by sustained growth, has likely a much better chance of removing caste-based inequality in India. If that happens, everyone will not join the crazy rush for being a doctor or engineer, even though they are likely not qualified for that position (based on the admission criteria for the open category). They can be an artist, entrepreneur, athlete, or any of the multitude of other economically viable options - rather than forcing their way into a course/degree that they are likely intellectually unprepared for.
Related QuestionsMore Answers Below
Reservation in Indian constitution was introduced for SC and ST as they were being treated inhumanly here since aeon.They were living in poor conditions and were forced to live away from main habitation in isolation. They were not allowed to study . They were forced for menial jobs. Rampant exploitation was done by higher echelons of society even without remuneration and just for degraded food items just for survival. They were treated as slaves even during british period. They have no say in any social discussions. They lived in pathetic conditions and abject penury.
Considering these The committee framed the constitution had thought to compensate them against such evil practices and some relief against exploitation from generations was necessary for them to reach on a respectable platform. This was a relief against social injustices inflicted upon them due to old evil practices and to allow them education and social welfare and make them able indian citizen to contribute in progress of nation. The reservation was based on caste and not on other aspects like religion.
The blacks in USA were brought from Africa and they were also treated ingenuinely and were exploited by the powerful european settlers. They had also maltreated the native red indians and many were killed . USA had faced internal disturbance due to this evil practice. Later on the voting right were given to them and slavery was banned in USA under Abhimanyu Lincoln s presidency and he also faced resistance from the Europeans settled in usa . Later on the whites and blacks were treated equally. Now usa is most powerful nation and world is unipolar. It directs the world. All citizens are contributing in its progress.A society which does not have exploitation based on gender, caste and creed is the requirement of our constitution and we are moving to achieve this goal but our progress is slow and it is time to get rid of reservation and equal opportunities may be given to all citizens , freebies must be curtailed. The modi govt had started curtailment in gas subsidy, diesel petrol prices linked to market rates. It is good step. There are many other types of freebies to public servants ,representatives that are also needed to be controlled. Public distribution system needs to be more transparent to control rampant mismanagement of funds. This menace is also spreading among muslims , jains and sikhs just to be get benefited. It is unwaranted and unethical in present contexts.
Considering these The committee framed the constitution had thought to compensate them against such evil practices and some relief against exploitation from generations was necessary for them to reach on a respectable platform. This was a relief against social injustices inflicted upon them due to old evil practices and to allow them education and social welfare and make them able indian citizen to contribute in progress of nation. The reservation was based on caste and not on other aspects like religion.
The blacks in USA were brought from Africa and they were also treated ingenuinely and were exploited by the powerful european settlers. They had also maltreated the native red indians and many were killed . USA had faced internal disturbance due to this evil practice. Later on the voting right were given to them and slavery was banned in USA under Abhimanyu Lincoln s presidency and he also faced resistance from the Europeans settled in usa . Later on the whites and blacks were treated equally. Now usa is most powerful nation and world is unipolar. It directs the world. All citizens are contributing in its progress.A society which does not have exploitation based on gender, caste and creed is the requirement of our constitution and we are moving to achieve this goal but our progress is slow and it is time to get rid of reservation and equal opportunities may be given to all citizens , freebies must be curtailed. The modi govt had started curtailment in gas subsidy, diesel petrol prices linked to market rates. It is good step. There are many other types of freebies to public servants ,representatives that are also needed to be controlled. Public distribution system needs to be more transparent to control rampant mismanagement of funds. This menace is also spreading among muslims , jains and sikhs just to be get benefited. It is unwaranted and unethical in present contexts.
US Supreme Court had to make the famous intervention in 1954 for breaking desegregation in schools. But again, here too the state intervened not to create quotas for the blacks but to ensure for them their legitimate right to attend school and college with white kids. It was only in 1964 that president Lyndon Johnson was able to push through the civil rights bill for the blacks.
The policy of quotas and reservations in India does not promote the right to equality as much as it enhances the power of the state to do social good, which has been expanding continuously for 60 years because it has been felt by political parties that the state must do certain things. That is why reservations for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and Other Backward Classes is a gesture of state benevolence in the guise of fulfilling social commitments which have not resulted in equality but only sharpened the politics of identity. http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis...
Living conditions are more important than reservation. There is no blacks in USA now. They are up-graded as African American. Soon they will become American too. When all the Europeans belonging to different countries have become Americans, why not Africans? They have also reached, great heights in US system of life. They need no reservations. If India also develops like US, it may also do away with the reservations. Development, progress, and well being are more important than reservation.
You mean affirmative action, 40 acres, and mules?
Americans care about their fellow citizens. Thus, despite the constant complaints about preferential treatment to citizens of a certain past, we still have these rules to correct for previous and current biases. In fact, Obama talked about these historical connotations a couple of weeks ago.
Americans care about their fellow citizens. Thus, despite the constant complaints about preferential treatment to citizens of a certain past, we still have these rules to correct for previous and current biases. In fact, Obama talked about these historical connotations a couple of weeks ago.
There are affirmative action policies in the US for blacks. They are not mentioned in the Constitution, but courts have mostly agreed that they do not violate provisions of the US Constitution.
View More
Related Questions
Still have a question? Ask your own!