Journal: Social Exclusion and Inclusion

List of Abbreviations

1. ILO- International Labour Organisation
2. US- United States
3. EU- European Union
4. CS- Civil Society
5. CED- Community Economic Developmet

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction p. 4

2.0 Social Exclusion p.4

3.0 Social exclusion in Developing Countries p.5

4.0 Social inclusion p.5

5.0 Conclusion p.6

Bibliography p.7

1.0 Introduction

This paper will give a brief summary of what has transpired in literature regarding, social exclusion and social inclusion.

The first part will present the conceptual framework of the two terminologies followed by a discussion based on the readings and then a conclusion giving my perspectives of the issues raised by the literature.

2.0 Social Exclusion

Saith (2001)gives the definition of Social exclusion as offered by the European Commission, as “ in relation to the rights of citizens…..to certain basic standard of living and to participation in the major social and occupational opportunity of the society” (Gore, Figuiredo and Rodgers, 1995 p.2) Several researchers have come up with different definitions but generaaly meaning lack of participation in normal societal activities.

The Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia defines social exclusion as” Social exclusion relates to the alienation or disenfranchisement of certain people within a society. It is often connected to a person's social class, educational status and living standards and how these might affect their access to various opportunities. It also applies to some degree to the disabled, to minority men and women of all races, and to the elderly. Anyone who deviates in any perceived way from the norm of a population can become subject to coarse or subtle forms of social exclusion.

“Social exclusion is about the inability of our society to keep all groups and individuals within reach of what we expect as a society...[or] to realise their full potential."^[1]

Saith adds that Social exclusion was first used in 1970s relating to exclusion from the “norm” and was defined by industrial societies. This resulted from the new type of poverty that was impacting the working class and already having some influence on peace and order. Since a kind of social tension started to grow, some new regulations were introduced to prevent further social disaster. As the social welfare regulations emerged Saith reports that some people were not beneficiaries of them and were regarded as misfits. Some of these included people with mental health problems, with disabilities, those who were on drugs, the unemployed and many others. However, the coming of globalization with new policies complicated the situation and made many more people socially vulnerable in the society in European countries. The social networks which were helping the people who were formerly included were broken and many people became unemployed and got out of the social welfare system. The EU intervened to improve the social conditions of people. Since globalization was spreading fats, the situation also spread to other parts of the world by international agents such as ILO and others.

In the US, the term used is “underclass”.

3.0 Social Exclusion in Developing countries

Regarding the application of the terminology in developing countries Saith shares that there are several differences with the developed world. A few comparisons refer to consequences of exclusion by touching on loss of human rights, work, welfare state, long-term unemployment , break down of social ties mostly relating to minorities, whereas in the developing countries the excluded population does not get income support for the unemployed, no social security for people with challenged ability, no education support to make children from poor families to make it to secondary school, no social insurance for the unemployed who are the majority in the rural areas. All this is due to having larger populations requiring such support.

4.0 Social inclusion according to the Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia ,” is affirmative action to change the circumstances and habits that lead to (or have led to) social exclusion.

“Social Inclusion is a strategy to combat social exclusion, but it is not making reparations or amends for past wrongs as in Affirmative Action. It is the coordinated response to the very complex system of problems that are known as social exclusion. The notion of social inclusion can vary according to the type of strategies organizations adopted.”

Social exclusion is a concept that is used in many parts of the world outside of the United States to characterize contemporary forms of social disadvantage. Dr. Lynn Todman suggests that social exclusion refers to processes by which entire communities of people are systematically blocked from rights, opportunities and resources (e.g., housing, employment, healthcare, civic engagement, democratic participation, and due process) that are normally available to members of American society and which are key to social integration.” The encyclopedia goes on to clarify that the term is relatively new and it has been taken by social justice activists to for research and activism for inclusion of marginalized groups.

5.0 Conclusion

The two terminologies affect communities today all over the world. There have been historical experiences of minority communities uprising for their recognition in the US, Europe and Asia. The civil society has played a big role in supporting marginalized groups to struggle for their rights to access social support and human rights. The developing countries CS learnt form the first world to activate for inclusion and participation of the poor.

Community Economic Development addresses issues of inclusion by being explicit about the inclusion of the disabled, the widows, the orphans, the elderly, and other marginalized groups in community level decision making. However, it is easier said than done and it is very important that those who get this knowledge generously share with others to facilitate actualization of inclusion and to avail more justice to those we aspire to work for.

Bibliography

1. Saith R (2001) QEH Working Paper Series QEHWPS72. Working Paper No 72.
2. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia