Social Inclusion: The Concept Of Social Exclusion

1643 Words4 Pages

The concept of social exclusion is complex. It is understood as a multidimensional and dynamic process. (Sliver, 1994; Levitas, 2005) Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tony Blair since 1997, social exclusion has become an agenda on the British social policy. (Levitas, 2005) The redistributive (RED), social integration(SID) and moral underclass(MUD) discourses are used as one of the models to examine the meanings of social exclusion shifts and changes in the political context. These discourses are not types of dimensions of exclusion, instead Weber suggested that they are indicators that show how the permutations of social exclusion reflected in different British policy implications. (Levitas, 1998) RED, SID and MUD are predominantly analytical …show more content…

The extensive notion of poverty social exclusion has a rapport with the concept of social exclusion. (Howarth et al. 1998) There are strong elements of RED in Brining Braitian Together (1998) published by the Social Exclusion Union. It makes it clear that the emergency of redirecting resources can relieve multiple deprivation. The redistributive discourse is presented in the earlier reports as well. These reports propose mainly the improvement and ‘better resourcing’ of certain services such as pupil referral unity. (Levitas, …show more content…

The word ‘underclass’ was originally used to refer to individuals that are being ‘cut off from the main class structures of society’ (Rex, 1979) ‘in terms of income, life chances and political aspirations’ (Field, 1989) or those who ‘typically have little or no control over goods and skills either within or outside a given economic order.’ (Moore, 1993a) Unlike Field, Moore and Wilson that wrote The Underclass (1993), who have defined ‘underclass’ in terms of conditions, Murray suggested that ‘underclass’ should be defined by behaviours on an individual’s level. (Murray, 1996) He believe there are the deserving and undeserving poor, who will intentionally stay inactive and dependent completely on the welfare benefits. Despite being criticised as being harsh and ‘blaming the victim’ (Murray, 1996), Murray highlighted the importance to keep people ‘morally responsible for their behaviour’. (Murray, 1996) The idea of communitarism comes into the moral underclass discourse. (Levitas, 2005) Hence, paid work in MUD, signifies similarly to what SID suggests, as a necessary mean of social discipline (Murray, 1996) because it can potentially lift people to a cultural and moral

Show More
Related

  • Concepts and Implications in Jay Macleod's Ain't No Makin' It

    2050 Words  | 5 Pages

    Preventing poverty and improving the school system can help prevent class reproduction, but Macleod argues that, "what is required is the creation of a truly open society--a society where the life chances of those at the bottom are not radically different from those at the top and where wealth is distributed more equitably" (260). Until structural inequality is eliminated, wealth is more evenly distributed, and discrimination between classes ends, social reproduction will be to well known by society.

    Read More

  • Gregory Mantsios Class In America Analysis

    795 Words  | 2 Pages

    In "Class in America", Gregory Mantsios says that "when politicians and social commentators draw attention to the plight of the poor, they do so in a manner that obscures the class structure and denies any sense of exploitation." Based off our readings, class discussion and films, income inequality is known to be erased or ignore. Our society frowns upon the expression of income in our daily conversations, as it could be seen braggy or a complaint depending on your status of income. Because it's frowned upon to talk about, the topic of income inequality becomes erased or ignored. In addition, income inequality in America's class structure can affect people's ability to reach their American Dream.

    Read More

  • Class and Poverty in Australia

    1827 Words  | 4 Pages

    Class is a key idea related to inequality, prejudice and discrimination in Australian society. It has been considered out of fashion, because some Australian people think that there is no class difference between people in Australia, everyone enjoys equality in society. In fact, the recent de-regulation of the workplace, and the widening gap in access to hospitals, schools and employment opportunities between the rich and poor, have made class more visible in Australian than ever before. Class is "a category of people who have generally similar educational histories, job opportunities, and social standing and who are conscious of their membership in a social group that is ranked in relation to others and is replicated over generations" (Kent, 1998:87). This essay argues that class cause continues to inequality in Australian society. Firstly, class structures labor market inequality. Secondly, class shapes the quality of a person's life. Thirdly, class inequality produces continuing class differences into the next generation. Finally, class has becoming a debate in Australian society, because class inequality encourages the `right' people to work more efficiently in the workforce and helps people to identify themselves in society, but continuing relevance of the concept of class is a matter in contemporary Australia.

    Read More

  • Freedom for Humanity, by Kalen Ockerman

    1143 Words  | 3 Pages

    The class system has been in place within humanity since the very birth of economic trade. It is a fact of life that others will seek self-betterment and gain power to provide for those that they love and their own personal interest. Throughout the years the implementation of a social class system has helped to differentiate the types of economic situations as nation and serve as a system to work toward the betterment of the society as a whole. However, as the world became more productive and the gaps between the higher classes and lower classes increased the efficiency of the social class system and the decisions made from the individuals within it has been called into question. Kalen Ockerman opened the channel to question if the class system is the helpful institution that benefits of all its citizens or if the lower classes are not getting the support and attention they deem necessary.

    Read More

  • Exploring Counter-arguments to Beck's Theory of Individualization

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beck, U. 2007. ‘Beyond Class and Nation: Reframing social inequalities in a globalizing world’. The British Journal of Sociology. 58(4). Pp 679-705.

    Read More

  • The Undeserving and Deserving Poor Structure

    1058 Words  | 3 Pages

    Having only recently permeated the public and political lexicon, there are few debates that evoke such passion as that of the underclass. Karl Marx tabled the idea of the lumpen proletariat, yet in the modern era, the concept did not take hold in Britain until 1989. Today, the debate focuses on whether frictional forces create a continuum of inequality, or whether a defined underclass does exist. The question asks if 'poor people' belong in a separate underclass, which is a vague definition. There will always be 'poor people', but whether or not this automatically qualifies them as a separate underclass is tenuous at best. Even the most radical proponents for the existence of the underclass stop short of declaring all those below the poverty line as 'the underclass'. This essay will analyse the arguments from either side of the debate, looking at definitional issues, the undeserving and deserving poor and structure versus agency. Overall, it will be argued that Murray’s classification does not hold for the majority and that frictional forces mean the poor are part of a continuum of inequality.

    Read More

  • The Development of British Children's Services

    2636 Words  | 6 Pages

    Throughout this assignment a variety of terminology will be used, first it is appropriate to define what the term ‘Social Policy’ means. Social policy can be defined in different ways and ‘there is no established or agreed definition of social policy’ (Baldock et, al., 1999:21). From reading different books on social policy, the author’s understanding of social policy is it provides guidelines to deal with social problems . Social problems are matters which direct...

    Read More

  • The Traditional Marxist Theory Of Class Inequality

    1594 Words  | 4 Pages

    The traditional Marxist explanation of class inequality in the contemporary UK is based on Marx. Marx saw society as a structure divided into two major parts - the first and most important structure is the economic base referred to as the infrastructure. The second major part consists of the rest of society, such as political, legal and education systems, beliefs and ideas. This part is referred to as the superstructure. Marx claimed that the infrastructure shapes the superstructure as the economic system shapes the rest of society. For example, the education system in a modern industrial society has been shaped by the requirements of a capitalist economy for a literate and well-disciplined workforce. Marx saw social class in two major social groups - a ruling class and a subject class. The power of the ruling class, the Bourgeoisie comes from their ownership of the means of productive, including the land, raw materials and machinery used to produce goods. The Bourgeoisie oppress the subject class. The subject class, the Proletariat is made up of workers who own only their labour which they hire to the Bourgeoisie in exchange for wages. Marx believed that the relationship between the classes in one of

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Class In America By Gregory Mantsios

    1572 Words  | 4 Pages

    Social and economic class is something we as Americans like to push into the back of our minds. Sometimes recognizing our class either socially or economically can almost be crippling. When individuals recognize class, limitations and judgment confront us. Instead, we should know it is important to recognize our class, but not let it define and limit us. In the essay, “Class in America”, Gregory Mantsios, founder and director of the Joseph S. Murphy Institute for Worker Education at the School of Professional Studies, brings to light the fact that Americans don’t talk about class and class mobility. He describes the classes in extremes, mainly focusing on the very sharp divide between the extremely wealthy and extremely poor. In contrast, George

    Read More

  • Social Class

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    Social class has existed in our society since its foundation. Working class, middle class, upper middle class, or upper class, whatever your standing, social class can affect your place in society. Social class can be defined by where you live, who you talk to, where you get an education, even by the clothes you wear. These may not be definite determinants of social class, but categorization of people becomes easier when looking at these factors. In previous papers, I have claimed that social class is a result of capitalism. Though, I still believe this to be true, there are many factors that can affect social class and vice versa. Theorists have looked at different aspects of how these can affect social class. In my paper I am going to explore capitalism, stratification, racism, segregation, and education and their relationship with social class and how this can cause social conflict; I will have a primary focus of how Weber, DuBois, and Marx views this relationship.

    Read More

  • Social Conformity And Social Inequalities

    1387 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout lecture 5-9b we get introduced to Social Inequalities and explore the opportunities and rewards that are disbursed to groups and individuals. Trying to understand inequality patterns based on different varieties of sources. Through these lectures we focus how sociologist define social class, gender, age, region, race, and ethnicity. We also began to learn about the variables that affect someone’s access to opportunities and resources. We have explored how those resources and available opportunities are closely connected to the theory Structural functionalist by looking at the privilege and power in a society. Another important aspect is the study of Social stratification, which is an understanding of how those patterns of inequalities are maintained and challenged. We should have a basic understanding of how societies differ based on inequalities that they show and different varieties of inequalities that come together and reinforce one another. By that, this section is dissect how race, classs, gender, and age come together through structure of a society. Throughout these we also take a look at deviance and conformity. We get up close to the sociological definition of deviance, and emphasizing the importance its social reaction in societies. We begin to understand what forces society to allow or even encourage breakdowns of social order and disorganization of socialization and social control. By that, this section is dissect how race, class, gender, and age come together through structure of a society. We have been taught to answer questions like: what actions are defined as actually threatening to social order or deviant and who get to be the judge? Also what sorts of things lead to individuals to “deviant actions” a...

    Read More

  • Social Groups And Inequality Essay

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is evident that inequality (social or economic differences between people or groups, which often leads to unequal opportunity, and treatment) is present all around us, even in modern day Britain. There is a view that because of the inequalities, some social groups suffer more in terms of life chances. This means that these individuals may be limited in their ability to share in the economic and cultural goods of society, such as education, health and employment.

    Read More

  • Social Exclusion in Relation to Disability and Gender

    881 Words  | 2 Pages

    Houston, D.M. (2007) ‘Women's social exclusion.’ In Abrams, D., Christian, J.N. and Gordon, D. (ed.) The Multidisciplinary Handbook of Social Exclusion Research. Wiley: Chichester, pp. 17-28.

    Read More

  • Three Usual Societal Problems in Britain

    1251 Words  | 3 Pages

    The first problem that affects modern British cities is poverty with its noticeable impacts on these cities. Wallop (2009) states that in Britain, a family can be stated below the poverty line when its income, after tax, is 60% or less of the national median income. However, recent researches suggested that approximately 17.8 per cent of the population are considered below the poverty line and this percentage is likely to increase (ibid). For a long time poverty has affected British cities in several negative way. For instance, it can lead to rioting in which public facilities, private properties and governments’ buildings are likely to be attacked and damaged. According to BBC NEWS (as cited in Morgan 2007), in 2001, Bradford, Oldham and Burnley had the worst rioting during the last 20 years in Britain. Rioting usually appear as a result of low standard of living and poverty leads to such standards. Another impact is that the children under the poverty line experience many difficulties in attending to a s...

    Read More

  • To What Extent Does Social Class Affect the Success and Experience of Young People in Education?

    1585 Words  | 4 Pages

    Whitty, G. (2001) Education, social class and social Exclusion. Journal of Education Policy, 16(4) pp 287-295.

    Read More

More about Social Inclusion: The Concept Of Social Exclusion

Open Document