What is the main goal of affirmative action policies?

The primary objective of affirmative action policies is to address past discrimination in employment. These policies are designed to create equal opportunities for individuals who have historically faced discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, or ethnicity. By implementing affirmative action, employers aim to level the playing field and ensure that underrepresented groups have equal access to job opportunities, promotions, and other employment benefits. This approach is rooted in the recognition of systemic barriers that have historically limited the participation of certain groups in the workforce, seeking to rectify injustices of the past and promote a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

This focus on rectifying historical inequities is what sets affirmative action apart from other potential goals, such as increasing wage rates or promoting equal living standards, which do not specifically address the employment discrimination context that affirmative action is designed to combat.