Sins of the fathers: affirmative action and the redressing of racial inequality in the United States. Towards the South African debate

ABSTRACT

It can be anticipated that the debate on redistributive justice in South Africa will intensify over the coming months and years. It is also likely that the relevant American experience which has found expression in the practice and critique of affirmative action will provide an important touchstone for the South African debate. Accordingly it is hoped that this article will help contextualize this debate by scrutinizing the nature of the theory and practice of affirmative action in the United States.