An argument against affirmative action is

An argument against affirmative action is

• A. It is inconsistent with the principles of fairness and equality.
• B. It ensures objective merit is always recognized.
• C. It eliminates competition.
• D. It guarantees equal outcomes regardless of effort.

Answer: (A)

An argument against affirmative action centers on how fairness and equality are defined in opportunity. The idea is that fairness means treating everyone the same and judging each person by merit alone. When policies consider race, gender, or other group identities, critics say they are giving preference or disadvantage based on attributes beyond individual achievement, which they see as violating equal treatment. In this view, opportunity should be awarded purely on qualifications, not on group membership. This is why the statement about fairness and equality fits best. It directly captures the common critique that affirmative action conflicts with the principle of treating people identically and evaluating them by the same standards. The other concerns—such as claims that affirmative action guarantees objective merit, eliminates competition, or ensures equal outcomes regardless of effort—do not align with the standard critique. They either misrepresent what merit means in practice, overlook ongoing competition, or assume outcomes are perfectly equal regardless of effort, which isn’t what affirmative action is intended to guarantee.

An argument against affirmative action centers on how fairness and equality are defined in opportunity. The idea is that fairness means treating everyone the same and judging each person by merit alone. When policies consider race, gender, or other group identities, critics say they are giving preference or disadvantage based on attributes beyond individual achievement, which they see as violating equal treatment. In this view, opportunity should be awarded purely on qualifications, not on group membership.

This is why the statement about fairness and equality fits best. It directly captures the common critique that affirmative action conflicts with the principle of treating people identically and evaluating them by the same standards. The other concerns—such as claims that affirmative action guarantees objective merit, eliminates competition, or ensures equal outcomes regardless of effort—do not align with the standard critique. They either misrepresent what merit means in practice, overlook ongoing competition, or assume outcomes are perfectly equal regardless of effort, which isn’t what affirmative action is intended to guarantee.