January 09, 2025 | 03:00 PM
MDI Gurgaon is delighted to host Dr. Ankush Asri, Researcher, Chr. Michelsen Institute & University of Konstanz for an insightful session on “Does Affirmative Action Deepen Identity Divides? Exploring Inequality in Competitive Environments".
Date: 09th Jan 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 03.00 PM IST
Mode: Offline
Session's abstract: Social inequalities based on natural identities—such as caste, ethnicity, race, and gender— persistently shape disparities in wealth, income, and opportunities. One policy tool to "level the playing field" is Affirmative Action (AA) policies to mitigate these disparities and promote equity. While prior research has highlighted the efficacy of AA in fostering competition among beneficiaries, the heterogeneity within beneficiary groups remains unexplored. This study examines the effects of two distinct AA policies—group-based and income-based—on willingness to compete, perceptions of fairness, and intergroup relations, considering both within- and between-group inequalities, allocate benefits based on natural identities, irrespective of initial economic status. In contrast, income-based AA policies target low-income individuals, regardless of their identity. Consistent with previous literature, we find that within-group homogeneity among beneficiaries enhances their willingness to compete without discouraging non-beneficiaries. Conversely, within-group heterogeneity among beneficiaries increases competition willingness but discourages non-beneficiaries, aligning with theoretical predictions. This discouragement is significant only under group-based AA and not income-based AA. Additionally, participants perceive group-based AA as less fair, particularly under conditions of heterogeneity, even when individuals acting as social planners select institutions based on personal benefit. Lastly, affluent members within beneficiary groups, often called the "creamy layer," are punished more, particularly when they win a competition due to AA.