Corporate Social Responsibility and Affirmative Action Programs: an Indian Perspective

Abstract

RésuméEn s’appuyant sur des exemples tirés du contexte indien, les auteurs montrent les avantages des politiques de non discrimination dans le secteur privé. Ils identifient les lacunes des cadres théoriques et légaux actuels en se référant aux travaux de Friedman, Sunstein, Rawls et Dworkin. En utilisant les développements théoriques avancés par Amartya Sen, les auteurs montrent que les pratiques de non discrimination et d’égalité des chances n’entraînent pas une détérioration de l’efficacité économique des entreprises. Ces pratiques sont en effet avantageuses en termes de valorisation de capital humain et de diversification de l’investissement sur le marché du travail. Les auteurs présentent enfin des propositions relatives permettant de développer la non discrimination en tant qu’axe de la responsabilité sociale des entreprises indiennes.

With the Parliament and UPA CMP echoing ‘Reservation’, there is an indication that reservation would soon be in the Private Sector in India. This would result in a conflict between preserving Private autonomy and Social Welfare as enshrined in Constitution and the will of people. This paper delves into the problem at hand, in terms of the widening economic gaps in the country, and the broadening of private enterprise and shrinking of public power. The Private sector owes a responsibility in form of CSR, but has done little. The paper identifies the legal lacunae in this regard. Reliance has been placed on Milton Friedman, Cass Sunstein and other jurists like Rawls and Dworkin to show that Affirmative Action policy is a necessity in India for emancipation of masses. Further, theories by Amartya Sen and others suggest that Affirmative Action does not eat up the efficiency of the system, while in fact it has many economic benefits in terms of Human Capital and diversifying the Labour and Investment market. The paper points out reasons why Affirmative Action has been widely accepted in the West and how it is applicable in India. Finally, suggestions are made in legal and economic policy as how to achieve ‘no discrimination’ and a sound affirmative action policy without destroying private autonomy.