Social Inclusion

Abstract

The main task of this chapter is to examine social inclusion as a conditional component of social quality so that, on the one hand, its relationship with the other three conditional components is transparent and, on the other, we may be as precise as possible in the delineation of domains, sub-domains and indicators. The chapter begins by locating social inclusion within the social quality framework and emphasises its central role in participation. Then the concept is defined and its connections with social exclusion are explored. The chapter progresses to a summary of attempts to operationalise exclusion and then an overview of the place of inclusion/exclusion in European discourses. The chapter concludes with the rationale for the development of domains, sub-domains and indicators in this component of social quality and provides an initial list of them. The twin themes of the chapter are the critical importance of inclusion for participation and the search for a model of inclusion that promotes universal access while recognising and appreciating difference (Walker and Wigfield, 2004b).

Sue Harding, Joyce Hamilton, Margo Keizer, Chiara Saraceno and Andrea Wigfield made helpful contributions to this chapter.