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Justice, Gender, and Affirmative Action by Susan D. Clayton and Faye J. Crosby offers a deep dive into the complex debates surrounding affirmative action through the lens of gender and social psychology. Addressing the persistent gender disparities in the workplace, the authors argue for the necessity of affirmative action to combat ingrained biases and structural inequalities that permeate both economic and sociological dimensions. They use the theory of relative deprivation to illustrate how societal injustices can be overlooked by both victims and society, underscoring the importance of proactive measures like affirmative action. The book analyzes various judicial precedents shaping the discourse and application of affirmative action, highlighting their impact on women's progress, particularly white women, who have benefited significantly from these programs. With insights drawn from numerous studies, the authors argue that affirmative action is essential and propose strategies for its effective implementation, emphasizing that these policies should address systemic biases rather than attempt to compensate for perceived deficiencies within marginalized groups. Through a meticulous examination of the controversies and criticisms of affirmative action, Clayton and Crosby guide readers towards a nuanced understanding of its necessity in promoting justice and equity in contemporary society.

Since its inception, affirmative action has been a controversial policy, and on all sides of the issue passions run high. Sometimes commentators have looked with clarity at the deep and complex issues surrounding affirmative action, but too often facts have been in shorter supply than misinformed opinions. Sex, Race, and Merit: Debating Affirmative Action in Education and Employment is designed to enhance intelligent discussion of the issues, presenting all sides of the controversy and working to separate fact from fiction. Sex, Race, and Merit brings together a rich array of material, including newspaper articles and essays by leading scholars. including William Bowen, Derek Bok, Barbara Bergmann, Christopher Edley, Barbara Reskin, Claude Steele, and Patricia Williams. Also featured are excerpts from primary sources, including the legislative documents that established affirmative action policy; the text of California Proposal 200, which ended such policy in that state; and excerpts from key legal cases, including the Bakke case and other recent cases. Sex, Race, and Merit is a useful tool in eliciting thoughtful, informed, and useful debate on the subject of affirmative action. It neither advocates in favor of affirmative action, nor does it speak against it. Rather, by including both factual and polemical materials, the book allows readers to explore the contours of the debate as well as the facts being debated. It is designed for an audience of nonspecialist readers, including students from secondary school through college, but will also be useful to scholars interested in the evolution and current status of this critical policy debate.