Affirmative Action Around the World

Factual Questions
1

All the controversy with the University of Michigan affirmative action case got me thinking. Do other countries have programs similar to affirmative action, or have they had something like affirmative action in the past?

The US is certainly not the only country in the world that has a history of treating some of its minorities poorly, so have other countries instituted similar programs that attempt to correct their historical injustices?

Any specific examples from some of our non-American or well-trveled dopers would be well appreciated.

A couple notes. First, I realize that it is difficult to choose a definition of affirmateve action everyone can agree on. I’m just looking for programs that are similar in spirit and practice. Second, please don’t turn this into a debate, there are other threads for that.

2

India has programs to increase opportunities for some lower castes.

I’m pretty sure that Rwanda, when the Hutus were in power, had programs to ensure that both Hutus and Tutsis were represented at the national university.

I’m pretty sure that Burundi has (or at least had) programs to ensure that the Batwa (pygmies) have (or had) access to the national university.

Malyasia has programs to promote the business interests of the (majority) Malay over the interests of the (minority) Chinese. (These are something like the set aside programs common in the U.S.)