Social exclusion

Understanding social exclusion

People may be born into an excluded group (in the case of ethnicity, caste, or being born with a disability), or may become excluded either due to changes in circumstances (such as migration, acute illness, or disaster) or to chronic processes (such as long-term unemployment). People may also be excluded because of where they live (for example, people who live in remote areas or slums). There is no single criterion for identifying the socially excluded, nor is it always agreed who the socially excluded are in a given society. This is why the identification of criteria for social exclusion in a particular context is one of the primary tasks for social exclusion analysis.

Social exclusion is a long-term multidimensional process that focuses not only on who is being excluded, but also on the institutions and resources from which they are denied access. It also helps us to identify the power structures, institutions and political actors who maintain and encourage processes of exclusion.

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Where is a good place to start?

Kabeer, N., 2000, ‘Social Exclusion, Poverty and Discrimination: Towards an Analytical Framework’, IDS Bulletin, 31(4), Institute of Development Studies, Brighton
The concept of social exclusion (SE) has emerged relatively recently in Northern discussions about poverty, inequality and justice. How transferable is this concept to the South, where poverty is a mass phenomenon? This paper, from the Institute of Development Studies, examines the roots of the social exclusion concept and finds that it can be helpful in analysing social policy in the South, particularly in terms of understanding institutions at the ‘meso-level’.
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De Haan, A., 1999, ‘Social Exclusion: Towards an Holistic Understanding of Deprivation’, Department for International Development, London
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. 
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Who are the socially excluded and what are they excluded from?

The following documents provide examples of the different forms exclusion can take:

Saith, R., 2001, ‘Social Exclusion: The Concept and Application to Developing Countries’, Queen Elizabeth House Working Paper Series 72, Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford
Is it possible to apply the concept of social exclusion to developing countries? This paper from Queen Elizabeth House discusses the origin of this approach in relation to unemployment status and its spread in Western Europe and developing countries. It suggests that rather than trying to transplant the concept to developing countries, its advantages – particularly the emphasis on processes that lead to poverty - could be incorporated into existing frameworks in developing countries.
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Sen, A., 2000, ‘Social Exclusion: Concept, Application, and Scrutiny', Asian Development Bank, Manila
What new insight into poverty – if any – is provided by the approach of social exclusion? This paper from the Asian Development Bank scrutinises the nature, relevance and reach of the idea of social exclusion, as well as its usefulness outside the European context in which it arose, with particular attention to Asia. It argues that this approach does indeed offer useful insights for poverty diagnostics and policy, if used with discrimination and scrutiny.
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Beall, Jo, 2002, ‘Globalisation and Social Exclusion in Cities: Framing the Debate with Lessons from Africa and Asia’, Development Studies Institute, London School of Economics, London 
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The Drivers of Change approach can be an effective means of unpacking the power structures within a country in order to better understand processes of exclusion within a particular country context. 

Poverty and Social Impact Analysis (PSIA) can also help to focus attention on exclusion and to open up entry points for debate. The World Bank’s PSIA website has information on experiences to-date.

Social exclusion as a multidimensional concept

People may experience multiple deprivations as a result of social exclusion, or they may find that several aspects of their identity combine to reinforce their experience of exclusion: deprivations stemming from social exclusion are typically interlocking and mutually reinforcing.

HelpAge International, 2005, ‘Coping with Love: Older People with HIV/AIDS in Thailand’, HelpAge International, London
Although Thailand’s HIV/AIDS epidemic has received a lot of attention over the last decade, little information exists about its impact on older people. This report from HelpAge International (HAI) presents the findings of research carried out in northern Thailand. It highlights the issues faced by older people affected by HIV/AIDS, the contributions they are making to their households, and the lack of services and support available to them. A key conclusion is that older people remain an untapped resource for responding to the crisis and for improving socio-economic conditions.
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Laaksonen, A., 2005, ‘Measuring Cultural Exclusion Through Participation in Cultural Life’, Paper presented at the Third Global Forum on Human Development: Defining and Measuring Cultural Exclusion, 17-19 January 2005, Interarts Foundation, Paris
What indicators should be used to measure individuals’ access to cultural rights? How can a strengthening of cultural life contribute to social inclusion and participation? This paper from the Interarts Foundation looks at three geographically diverse consultations on cultural inclusion to identify the key cultural rights priorities for communities worldwide. It argues that an enabling cultural environment promotes individuals’ access to their rights and a sense of social responsibility.
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Jackson, C., 1999, ‘Social Exclusion and Gender: Does One Size Fit All?’, European Journal of Development Research, Vol. 11, No. 1
Are social exclusion frameworks adequate for understanding the links between marginalisation and poverty? What are the gender implications of the core concepts of these approaches? Concepts of social exclusion claim to offer an integrated framework for analysing social disadvantage. However, this paper by the University of East Anglia, UK, argues that such approaches are often simplistic because they rest on unquestioned assumptions about power, marginality, and agency. Gender analysis can strengthen social exclusion perspectives by revealing the specifics of particular forms of disadvantage.
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