Final answer:
The government practices affirmative action as a form of compensatory or preferential treatment to reduce inequality and compensate for past discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an effort to narrow the gap between races and genders, the government practices affirmative action, which is a form of compensatory or preferential treatment. This initiative refers to active efforts by the government or businesses that provide special rights to minorities in hiring, promotion, or access to education in order to make up for past discrimination. Affirmative action has evolved over time and includes policies such as outreach efforts to a broader range of minority candidates for jobs, as well as requirements for government and companies to employ a specific number or percentage of minority employees. However, its application has also been the subject of controversy and legal scrutiny.