ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by tracing the emergence of the concept of discrimination from the ending of slavery through to the twentieth century. It examines early 'scientific' explanations for racial and gender inequalities and how these came to be challenged by various conceptualisations of discrimination and equality of opportunity. The chapter provides the history of anti-discrimination policies and looks at the arguments surrounding different forms of affirmative action. It focuses on the resurgence of individualism over the last two decades and the political 'backlash' against anti-discrimination policies and institutions. Policies and practices designed to address unjustifiable labour market discriminations are of relatively origin. Discrimination against black people became more institutionalised during the interwar period. The balance between individualism and collectivism has tilted substantially towards individualism. The main implication of the 'taste'-based model of employer discrimination is that the profit motive and the presence of competition for labour combine to reduce discrimination as a factor in employee recruitment.
