Individens rätt till jämlikhet – en kollektiv affär? : En ideologikritisk studie av debatten om positiv särbehandling i Sverige

Abstract

In this study thoughts of the individual’s right to equality are considered. By using critical ideology analysis the central tools of the study are strongly connected with thoughts of representation, equality, individual and collective rights, equal opportunities and possibilities and discrimination. In critical ideology analysis nothing can be automatically visible to us and critical ideology analysis is a method as well as a theory. A central point in this study is to investigate whether there are oppositional views or unanimity in the debate of affirmative action. The debate is still under ”construction”, which means that the debate has not yet come up with a solution to the problems of discrimination. The empirical material arises from arena rather than actor, where arena is the Swedish labour market with focus on ethnic minority groups. The analysis of this study results in that the ideas of affirmative action hold complex values and themes that constitute the idea itself. A tension between formal and real equality and individual and collective rights arise and affirmative action needs to point out those who will be in need for special treatments. In this matter I claim that affirmative action is in danger of becoming a shallow policy of symbols. Is the individual’s right to equality a collective affair