ABSTRACT
This chapter surveys empirical literature on affirmative action, in general and with specific application to Malaysia and South Africa, to clarify the gaps that this book seeks to fill and to construct an analytical framework. The bulk of research on these two countries, as unique case studies, has indirectly addressed affirmative action within broader inquiries of inequality, commonly focused on household income. This inquiry is principally focused on the direct objectives of increasing racial representation in the four policy sectors: higher education, high-level employment, enterprise and ownership. We draw on some cross-country research focused on tertiary education and employment, including comparisons of South Africa with other countries. The dearth of broader literature, and the absence of a comparative empirical study of Malaysia and South Africa, necessitates a purpose-built framework that encompasses all four sectors and incorporates a broad range of quantitative and qualitative outcomes. This chapter outlines a template for evaluating group representation, capability development and equitability of distribution within the beneficiary group, to the extent these criteria are pertinent to each policy sector. I also provide an overview of data sources and limitations.
