Social exclusion and anti-poverty policy : a debate

The aim of the Research Series of the International Institute for Labour Studies is to publish monographs reflecting the results and findings of research projects carried out by the Institute and its networks, The Series will also occasionally include outside contributions. The monographs will be published in moderately priced limited offset editions. The Institute thus hopes to maintain a regular flow of high-quality documents related to its areas of continuing interest. The responsibility for opinions expressed in signed articles, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and publication does not constitute an endorsement by the International Institute for Labour Studies of the opinions expressed in them. Series The concept of social exclusion is now extensively used in policy debates in Western Europe to describe emerging patterns of social disadvantage, particularly associated with long-term unemployment. It is a complex notion which can be used to denote, on the one hand, a situation or process experienced by individuals, namely their marginalization from society through economic deprivation and social isolation; and on the other hand, a situation or process which occurs in societies, namely the fragmentation of social relations, the emergence of new dualisms, and the breakdown of social cohesion. The concept focuses attention on process, agency, and the multi-dimensionality of disadvantage. It provides a framework for analysing the relationships between livelihood, well-being and rights. And it offers a way of considering how the social institution of citizenship is changing as various social contracts — the welfare state with a commitment to full employment in the North, and various forms of developmentalist state in the South — break down. This volume is part of the ilLS Research Series on social exclusion and development policy. The Series explores the relevance and value of the notion of social exclusion in a global context, including in: newly industrializing countries ; least developed countries; and socialist countries in transition. Most monographs in the series are based on primary research carried out by local multidisciplinary teams which examined the analytical and policy advantages of viewing poverty, inequality and lack of employment from a social exclusion perspective. This work sought to fashion approaches to social exclusion which were not Eurocentric. It was embedded in a common general framework which gave maximum discretion and scope for new approaches and insights rather than standardized research questions and methodologies for comparative analysis. These monographs are the product of the IILS/UNDP …