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Question

The term affirmative action was first used in ________

The correct answer is

1961

Understanding the Origin of Affirmative Action

The question asks about the first time the term affirmative action was used. This term refers to a set of policies and practices within a government or organization aiming to increase the representation of groups historically discriminated against, particularly in areas of employment and education. Understanding its origin is key to understanding its place in civil rights history.

When the Term Affirmative Action First Appeared

The term affirmative action has a specific historical origin in the United States. It was first officially used in a government document in the year 1961.

The Historical Context: Executive Order 10925

The first recorded use of the term came in Executive Order 10925. This order was signed by U.S. President John F. Kennedy on March 6, 1961. The purpose of this executive order was to establish the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.

The order mandated that government contractors "take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin." This highlights that the initial focus of affirmative action was on ensuring non-discrimination and promoting equality in employment practices for federal contractors. This policy was a significant step taken during the burgeoning civil rights movement to address systemic discrimination.

Analyzing the Given Options

Let's look at the years provided in the options:

  • 1961: This is the year President Kennedy signed Executive Order 10925, which contained the first official use of the term affirmative action in the context of employment equality.
  • 1962: The term was already in use by this year, having been introduced in 1961.
  • 1963: Similar to 1962, the term's first use predates this year.
  • 1964: While 1964 is famous for the passage of the Civil Rights Act, a landmark piece of legislation addressing discrimination, the term affirmative action itself was introduced earlier in 1961. The principles behind affirmative action policies are closely related to the goals of the Civil Rights Act, but the term's origin is distinct.

Based on historical records, the term affirmative action was first used in 1961.

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Important Questions from Political Processes in India

  1. Match List I and List II

    List I

    (Books)

    List II

    (Authors)

    (A)

    The success of India’s democracy

    (I)

    C.P. Bhampbri 

    (B)

    Caste in Indian Politics 

    (II)

    Atul Kohli 

    (C)

    Political process in India, 1947-1991 

    (III)

    Rajni Kothari 

    (D)

    The oxford companion to politics in India

    (IV)

    Nirja Jayal and Pratap B. Mehta 
  2. 73rd constitution Amendment Act, 1992 has stipulated the following major provisions regarding Panchayat

    A. A Gram Sabha may exercise such powers and perform such functions at the village level as the legislature of a state may, by law, provide

    B. A Finance Commission to be constituted every fifth year by the Governor of a state to review the financial position of the Panchayat and to make recommendations to the Governor.

    C. The legislature of a state cannot endow the Panchayat with any more powers and authority for their functioning as institutions of self- Government.

    D. An election to constitute a Panchayats shall be completed before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution.

  3. Find out the correct one with regard to Atul Kohli's distinction between pro-market and pro-business state intervention in India in 1980s:

    A. Pro-business strategy mainly supports established producers

    B. Pro-business strategy supports new entrants and consumers

    C. Pro-market strategy supports established producers

    D. Pro-market strategy supports new entrants and consumers

  4. Arrange the following in a sequence that historically and conceptually presents the concepts of civil society.

    A. It can be understood as a collective entity that springs from society and exists for specific and limited purposes

    B. The concept was part of the economic and political liberalism that arose with John Locke and was celebrated by Scottish enlightenment.

    C. Civil society is one among many spheres of the larger society along with family, economy, polities etc.

    D. The concept found a significant place in the writings of Hegel and Marx in the 19th century.

    E. The first articulation of the concept took place in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe.

  5. Satyashodhak samaj was founded by

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