What are the conceptual merits of the notion of social exclusion, and how relevant is it for developing countries? This paper from the Department for International Development (DFID) considers the usefulness of social exclusion as a framework for understanding deprivation. It argues that the value of the concept lies in focusing attention on two central elements of deprivation: its multidimensionality and the processes and social relations that underlie it.
The concept of social exclusion has rapidly become common in debates on deprivation and policies that combat deprivation, but has so far found limited space in development studies. The term first appeared in France – linked to ideas of solidarity – where it was defined as a rupture of the social fabric, and attributed to a failure of the state. It gained popularity in the context of the economic, social and political crises experienced during the 1980s, and led to the development of new kinds of social policies. The concept also spread to other European countries, including the United Kingdom.
Social exclusion is (or should be) a theoretical concept – a lens through which people look at reality, and not reality itself.
- The social exclusion approach has two main defining characteristics: it is multidimensional and it focuses on the relations and processes that cause deprivation.
- People can be, and usually are, excluded in some areas (or dimensions) and included in others.
- There are large overlaps between a notion of social exclusion and definitions of poverty. An understanding of social exclusion may help us more in developing an holistic understanding of deprivation.
- Income poverty is an element of social exclusion, and poverty reduction is a part of social integration. Social exclusion research can help explain the extent to which various dimensions overlap.
- The concept starts from a general idea of the importance of integration in society, but recognises that this can and should be dependent on local circumstances.
- The concept of social exclusion is not restricted to particular situations of deprivation and can therefore be applied to deprivation in richer countries as well as situations of mass poverty.
Social exclusion and integration can be a useful language to explore deprivation in a holistic sense. It also emphasises the multi-dimensional way deprivation occurs.
- The stress on the multi-dimensional nature of deprivation indicates a need to integrate sectoral approaches.
- The focus on the relational nature of deprivation emphasises the need to address the social processes and institutions that underlie deprivation.
- These processes are economic, cultural and political, and require interpretation of material and formal aspects of deprivation as much as of identity and ideology.
- Depending on context, increasing social cohesion can be a pre-condition for poverty alleviation, rather than a second priority.
- A social exclusion and integration framework needs to be informed by a notion of rights.
- An analytical framework of social exclusion should allow for differing definitions of integration, and varying prioritisation of dimensions of inclusion and exclusion.
