The author studies affirmative action efforts in four countries: two superpowers - the United States and the Soviet Union - and two non-superpowers - Canada and Hungary. Drawing on his knowledge of diverse societies, the author weighs the evidence to evaluate whether popular pressure for affirmative action is greater in the superpower than in the non-superpower nations. The book presents facts about the nature and historic development of state policy in the advanced capitalist and socialist countries, and raises insights that run counter to the common wisdom.