Affirmative action in the presence of a creamy layer

Brishti Guha () and Prabal Roy Chowdhury ()
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Brishti Guha: Jawaharlal Nehru University
Prabal Roy Chowdhury: Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi

Discussion Papers from Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi

Abstract: We examine affirmative action (AA) policies in a framework with statistical discrimination, where the target group, namely the "blacks", have a creamy layer (CLB) co-existing with a poorer section (PB). Further, the PB workers have to access an imperfect credit market if they want to invest in skill acquisition. We derive conditions for the existence of non-stereotyping, as well as patronizing equilibria (where employers hold the target group to lower standards via-a-vis the non-target group, the "whites"). We find that demographic shifts, whereby poorer blacks graduate to the "creamy layer", adversely affect all three groups under a patronising equilibrium, in the sense that a lower proportion is assigned to skilled jobs. Further, we demonstrate that a transition from identity-based to a class-based AA would be politically divisive, in that such a move would be opposed by at least two of the three groups, regardless of whether the equilibrium involves patronization, or not. In fact, CLBs would always be made worse off by such a transition. We also examine the implications of introducing a role model effect, as well as targeted education subsidies.

Keywords: Affirmative action; patronizing equilibrium; creamy layer; class-based affirmative action; role model effects; demographic shifts; educational loans; subsidies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D78 D82 J71 J78 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 31 pages
Date: 2015-11
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