Looking back, we discover that most societies have at one time disadvantaged some of their constituent groups. This could happen by ignoring them, by denying their potential, or by active discrimination. If discrimination, negative, or positive is proven, then democratic principles demand rectification. 

It is now customary to treat bias, whatever its context, as a crime by the beneficiaries of the slight. Whenever reminders of its avowed principles can alert a democratic society of its failing, a two pronged process is initiated. 

All begins with corrective measures. The injurious practice of deprivation will be banned. After that, the living victims are, to the extent that it is possible, compensated. Hardly anyone who shares the ideal of a just society will quarrel with this. The next step to correct past failings will follow. It will have to address an inherited pattern that expresses a consent shaped by the norms of a historical context. Therefore, the dividing line between eras being as diffuse as is the evolvement of a new consciousness gradual, the process will prove to be plodding. Add here, that this correction of “history” will be more controversial than the decision to break with an outdated tradition.

An evolving new consciousness will express itself in legislation. Such acts of mandated fairness will be contested. Any regulation will express new norms supported by the informal sanctions of an emerging majority. The previously majority will resist for good and for bad reasons the adjustment. Often these new values as social norms are more effective than formal laws can be. In the initial stage of their emergence, remedial steps will have a compelling purpose, namely to create equality for all members of society. 

Here a problem appears in every country, every culture and involves numerous newly enfranchised groups. Since the parameters are, regardless of the location and those affected analogous, a generalized treatment is warranted. 

In the present, it is fashionable to plead that earlier discrimination excuses any present deed of those that would have been disadvantaged in the past. Formal organizations in support will emerge although the plea can be used to justify past prejudices. We should, therefore, agree that membership in a group is no reason to disadvantage or to privilege its members.

From Mars it would seem that with politically mandated equality, the matter is resolved. One would conclude that society has adjusted its practice to its proclaimed principles. With equality asserted, the rise of the meritorious seems assured. On the foundation of an order that expresses society’s ideals, a future conforming to the community’s principles appears secured. 

In practice, that scenario disappoints expectations. The gist of the emerging problem is that, some of those that began by asking for equality will be dissatisfied with being treated like all others. Appetites arise once equality is achieved. In phase two, equality is followed by a demand for privilege that is justified with the need to atone for past sins. Warranted compensation for past suffering will facilitate this. If this happens, then equality mutes into a ticket to privilege. This negates some arguments made during the struggle for emancipation. The demand also unfairly ignores that, without the help of those that are to pay the fine, equality would not have come about. If religion, ethnicity, race, or gender was used to deny opportunities, newly belonging to them becomes an advantage and the access to these benefits will be abused. 

Post-equality scenarios correlate with the tracked group’s value system. Some subcultures react to imposed handicaps by a striving that will usually emphasize learning. In some cases, its goal will be to be “better than they are”. Therefore, some repressed groups respond surpassing their abusers. If so, then the removal of the barriers to mobility will be immediately followed by the rise of individuals. Access to formal education assures that the post emancipation generation will pursue unhindered careers. Differentiation will naturally continue, as it will reflect ability, drive, and goals. 

Another reaction to discrimination is that the disadvantaged give up hope. The response to imposed under-class status is to neglect the acquisition of skills –useless as not rewarded- and the development of a sub-culture that rejects all –even constructive- majority values. Ways to outwit the dominant classes through devious strategies and achievement in activities beyond the control of the former –frequently petty criminality- will be accepted. This might make imposed poverty more bearable. Nevertheless, it mutes into a handicap once full participation in the community is permitted.

The group’s internal role models during its exclusion, as well as the unearned good life of the beneficiaries of discrimination, teach a lesson. Not achievement but tricks and influence translated into privilege accounts for success. Thus, the temptation is to demand from equality equal access to the fruits of achievement. Clientism is the consequence. Ambitious statist representatives will appear to exploit the weakness. Wanting from freedom not equal opportunity but entitlement to equal results will be hard to resist. The collectivism registering itself through statism will attempt to divide wealth and sinecures according to a quota. The booty will be detached from performance and will express the political weight of the “membership”. The result will reinforce a subculture and therefore it will obstruct its ability to function without set-asides in a competitive environment. Except for the “leadership”, this implies self-destruction. To the benefit of the organizer, the dependency on “protection” will firm. Meanwhile, the general attraction of productive activities will be reduced as the state can only give away what it takes from someone. The talented and the clever will pursue appointments. Preferably those that supervise the application of redistributive policies. In tandem, talents will drift from market-rewarded and socially essential realms into the artificially upgraded functions of a politically determined collectivist economy.