Ina conflict of principlescohen tells the story of what happened at michigan how racial preferences were devised and implemented there and what was at stake in the heated and divisive controversy that ensued he gives voice to the judicious and seldom heard liberal argument against affirmative action in college admission policiesin the early 1970s as a member of the board of directors of the american civil liberties union cohen vigorously supported programs devised to encourage the . A conflict of principles the battle over affirmative action at the university of michigan note from the editor this book review discusses the contentious issue of affirmative action the federalist society takes no positions on particular legal and public policy matters any expressions of opinion are those of the author. So when cohen discovered after encountering some resistance how his school in its admirable wish to increase minority enrollment was actually practicing a form of racial discrimination calling it affirmative action he found himself at odds with his longtime allies and colleagues in an effort to defend the equal treatment of the races at his university in a conflict of principles cohen tells the story of what happened at michigan how racial preferences were devised and implemented . Carl cohen a left wing philosophy professor at the university of michigan who had long fought for civil rights and individual liberty strongly believed that racial justice can only be attained in a society that is color blind and that does not operate on the basis of quotas related to race gender religion or ethnicity these beliefs lead cohen to become a strong opponent of affirmative . Amazonin buy a conflict of principles the battle over affirmative action at the university of michigan book online at best prices in india on amazonin read a conflict of principles the battle over affirmative action at the university of michigan book reviews author details and more at amazonin free delivery on qualified orders