平等抑或精英:美国高等教育“肯定性行动”的内在悖论

Egalitarianism or Elitism: The Inherent Paradox of Affirmative Action in American Higher Education

20世纪70年代以来,围绕美国高等教育“肯定性行动”竞相掀起的系列质疑呼声及诉讼案件颇有不减反增的发展态势。拨开繁杂不清的表象后发现,此等争论某种程度上正是触碰到了高等教育领域平等与精英之间何以权衡的经典议题。秉持平等原则而降低院校录取标准,抑或坚守精英理念而将少数族裔学生拒于门外,是政策制定者及实施者颇为头疼的问题所在。就美国当前仍深陷于系统性种族歧视的现状来看,坚决捍卫高等教育精英培养理念的同时,关照到需要倾斜性帮助的弱势群体才是“肯定性行动”未来发展的应有之义。这同样是我国高等教育现代化发展过程中值得反思的地方。

Since the 1970s, a series of doubts and lawsuits have been raised around affirmative action in American higher education. This, to some extent, touches on the classic issue of how to balance the egalitarianism and elitism in higher education. To adhere to the principle of egalitarianism and lower the admission standards of colleges and universities, or to stick to the concept of meritocracy and keep minority students out, is hard to choose for policymakers and administrators. In view of the current situation that the United States is still deeply mired in systemic racial discrimination, the future development of affirmative action should not only resolutely defend the idea of elite training in higher education, but also take care of the disadvantaged groups in need of preferential treatment. This is also worth reflecting on the modernization of higher education in China.