A distinguished economist cuts through the incendiary rhetoric to present a clear-eyed defense of affirmative action as a just and indispensable solution to the persistent race and sex discrimination that splinters our society. Barbara Bergmann's systematic defense shows why there are no effective substitutes by which blacks and women can get equal consideration.

Professor Bergmann demonstrates that slogans such as "Just enforce the laws against discrimination" are recipes for inaction. She exposes the lack of evidence that affirmative action makes people believe all blacks are incapable. Bergmann reminds us that rich white children get special consideration in the best schools and jobs, buy nobody raises the cry that they are all incapable.

In Defense of Affirmative Action explores the issue of reverse discrimination and unfairness to white males, arguing that the ethical implications of leaving discrimination intact are far worse. Bergmann boldly confronts the issue of quotas, acknowledging that affirmative action does involve paying attention to the numbers hired by race and sex.

She argues that "preferences" for blacks and women in some openings are needed in cases where prejudice or habit leads to preference for white males in all openings. She reveals the record of many of the largest companies in integrating - or failing to integrate - their workforces.

1. Bergmann argues that it is naive or willfully dishonest to imagine that if we do away with affirmative action we will be left with a system that is sex-blind and race-blind, in which hiring and promotion are based solely on ability. Rather, continued affirmative action is needed to move us closer to a society in which merit rules.