. "Mr. Sowell discussed his book Preferential Policies: An International Perspective, published by William Morrow and Company. The book addresses the effects of government-mandated affirmative action programs. Mr. Sowell's analysis includes plans that have been implemented in developed and under-developed countries for minority and majority segments of the population. He contends that preferential policies often disproportionately assist the more fortunate in a targeted group. He further argues that \"temporary\" preferential policies usually expand the scope of their coverage and become permanent. Subsequently, fraudulent claims become pervasive. Mr. Sowell asserts that these problems occur because the programs are designed for political expediency rather than long-term societal change." . . . . . . "Preferential policies" . . . . . "Cross-cultural studies" . . .