Can Affirmative Action Be Justified?

This paper deals with affirmative action linked to theories of equality. The aim is to answer the question: Can affirmative action be justified? Three different perspectives, or faces that I have chosen to call them, are the core of the analysis; formal equality meaning equal rights, actual equality which deals with equal opportunity and absolute equality which is understood as equal results. After a short introduction and background the essay looks at the affirmative action debate in order for the reader to get an overview of the most important arguments for and against affirmative action. Then follows the analysis with the three faces of equality in relation to affirmative action from where the conclusion then can be drawn that affirmative action can be justified only if we look at absolute equality. The paper however also concludes that if we consider actual equality affirmative action might be justified as a short-term measure for long-term goals. A case-study, taken from a current case between 44 women and SLU, is used to show the problems and value conflicts involved with affirmative action