Download Article (PDF)

OLIVEN, Arabela C. Universities and Affirmative Action: Comparing Brazil and the United States. in: Vibrant – Virtual Brazilian Anthropology, v. 5, n. 1. January to June 2008. Brasília, ABA. Available at http://www.vibrant.org.br/issues/v5n1/arabela-c-oliven-universities-and-affirmative-action/

Abstract

This paper analyzes forms of university admission that include ethnic-racial, gender and socio-economic criteria in order to enhance the opportunity of access to higher education of underrepresented groups in elite schools in both the United States and Brazil. It compares the two societies in terms of racial relations, and presents arguments for and against racial quotas and preferential policies for admission processes at universities in both countries as forms of affirmative action.

Keywords: affirmative action policies, racial quotas, university, United States, Brazil