Date of Defense
4-12-1996
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Dr. Peter Renstrom
Second Advisor
Dr. Carolyn V. Lewis
Abstract
The concept of affirmative action finds its origin in the Wagner Act of 1935 and Executive Order 10925 signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Both pieces of legislation prescribe positive remedial measures in response to unfair labor practices, though neither document specifically enumerates or defines such measures. Affirmative action is defined, to some extent, in the Wagner Act as "including reinstatement of employees with or without back pay." This definition, though not complete, infers an intent to correct or remedy only past occurrences of unfair labor practices, inclusive of, according to Executive Order 10925, invidious employment discrimination. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Executive Order 1124 6, which mandated compliance to affirmative measures for all federal contractors, executive departments, and agencies, thus, enforcing nondiscrimination in federal government employment.
Recommended Citation
Fitzpatrick, Ashaki, "The Fate of Affirmative Action in Employment: From the Perspectives of the Supreme Court and Public Opinion" (1996). Honors Theses. 897.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/897
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Campus Only