The goal of this literature review is to find four themes that synthesize research on affirmative action policies. The aim is to present over thirty peer-reviewed academic sources that summarize affirmative action. The paper is not meant to take sides, or have a debate. Instead, it is intended to review the political sociology literature on this topic. Authors that must be used are: Chris Bonastia, Louise Seamster, Victor Ray, Erin Kelly, and Dan Hirschman and Ellen Berrey.