How social exclusion and inclusion came into being?
§ historic processes
§ exclusion as a natural way of bonding -> group identity
§ in-group vs. out-group, significant other vs. the Other
§ currently: emphasis on social cohesion
§ too diversified society are not cohesive -> risk of conflict
§ social inclusion/exclusion/cohesion emerging in 1970’s in France
§ from communitarian approach (1960’s and 1970’s) to social structure
(individual/community problem -> structural disadvantagement)
§ from understanding marginalization in economic terms to political,
social, economic and cultural dimension
§ part of the European agenda since 2000 -> national inclusive policies
§ context of V4 countries – implementation of SI and SE thanks to
integration process
§ “Social exclusion is usually defined as a disadvantage and as the
impossibility of fully participating in various ways in the life of
society: it has an economic, a social, a political and a cultural
dimension. These dimensions are generally assumed to be
interdependent and mutually reinforcing, thus producing a
cumulative disadvantage.” (Mareš & Sirovátka 2008:531-2)
§ Social inclusion is “a process of improvement of abilities,
opportunities and dignity of people, who are disadvantaged on
basis of their identities, in order to participate in the society” (World
Bank)
§ a continuum instead of two poles
§ two dynamics often existing side by side
§ inclusive paradox
§ newly emerging narrative – from vertical understanding of
disadvantagement to horizontal one
§ PROS – departure from economic dimension to social categories of
racial/ethnic/religious identities, joined European approach
§ CONS – concealing social inequalities (Levitas 2005), empty
European categories
§ In what ways do social inclusion and exclusion serve us to better
capture the social reality?
§ In what ways they conceal social injustice coming from inequality?