After 1970, however, many American institutions-corporations, unions, universities, others-were required to set aside what in effect were quotas, a process that engaged the federal government as never before in a wide variety of personnel decisions taken in the private sector. This dramatic and rapid transformation of congressional intent took place as a result of executive decisions-especially Nixon's-and court interpretations. Affirmative action of this sort never had the support of democratically elected representatives.41
"After 1970, many American institutions such as corporations, unions, and universities were required to establish quotas," according to James T. Patterson. This shift involved increased federal government intervention in private sector personnel decisions, marking a significant change in policy implementation.
The transformation was driven largely by executive actions, particularly under Nixon, and court rulings, not by elected officials' support. Patterson emphasizes that such affirmative action measures largely lacked backing from democratically elected representatives during this period.
