Affirmative Action

What is Affirmative Action?

The process by which a business or governmental agency gives special rights of hiring or advancement to ethnic minorities to make up for past discrimination. Affirmative action programs are governed by a number of overlapping laws.

Further Reading

For more detailed information, see our related Constitutional Law terms:

• Gender Discrimination
• 13th Amendment

Reviewed by

Stephanie Bagnall

Licensed Attorney and Legal Researcher

Stephanie Bagnall is a Georgia-licensed attorney and legal researcher with experience in accessibility law, compliance, employment law, and legal writing. She helps develop and review BarPrepHero's Legal Terms content for clarity, accuracy, and usefulness to bar exam students.

View Stephanie on LinkedIn