Equality of Opportunity and Identity Politics

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Identity politics concerns the political recognition of group identities. In some cases, such politics reflects concerns about equal standing and equal opportunities, not least for minority and/or vulnerable groups such as racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, women, gays and lesbians, people with disabilities, and transgender people. It is explained how equality of opportunity may motivate identity politics. Furthermore, two examples of identity politics are discussed in greater detail, namely affirmative action for African Americans and cultural appropriation. As regards affirmative action, such policies have often been justified on the basis of equality of opportunity, emphasizing how affirmative action may limit the impact of various barriers to, for example, education and jobs faced by African Americans. Apart from this argument, various objections to affirmative action are also considered. As regards cultural appropriation, the focus is on “content” appropriation, which consists in taking an intangible cultural item from a cultural out-group. It is explained how such appropriation from cultural minorities has been seen, by some, as a form of exploitation, exacerbating and prolonging inequality between cultural groups. Also, it is considered whether cultural appropriation constitutes a distinct form of inequality or is simply an instance of a more general inequality as regards accessing and capitalizing on culture.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of Equality of Opportunity
EditorsMitja Sardoc
Number of pages21
PublisherSpringer
Publication date2023
ISBN (Electronic)9783319522692
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

ID: 368212094