However, it can block a government's actions that discriminate in favour of some firms relative to others.

ECONOMIST: French business

Some of the darkest chapters in human history were written by governments that discriminate in favour of some, but against others, based on race.

ECONOMIST: Turkey in Europe?

But it is a colossal jump from extending help to people who happen to be members of minorities to allowing laws that discriminate in favour of people on the basis of their skin.

ECONOMIST: Affirmative action