Contenidos e instrumentos de las políticas de inclusión social e inclusión activa

Abstract

The use of the word «inclusion» has become widespread in European social policy since the beginning of the 21st century. Even though it has been heavily used, it is an ambivalent concept, lacking in a clear theoretical frame of reference or any agreed definition. As a strategy for remedying this ambivalence, this article proposes an analysis of the policies and programmes covered by this term. Study of the content of social inclusion and, in particular, active inclusion policies —programmes, instruments and measures— aims to find out what they mean in the different spheres it affects and how it is interpreted by European countries. The results of this approach show how active social inclusion has been pursued unevenly through policies which have to do with different political traditions and with the political colours of governments. In the diverse map of instruments and programmes it is nevertheless possible to identify a common, coherent orientation towards activation, whereby entry to the labour market lies behind social policies aimed at the most vulnerable sectors. In practice, implementing policies to combat poverty means giving up the ambitious theoretical goals of the approaches to social inclusion and active inclusion policies. And in the current context of economic recession and scarcity of jobs, the question is whether the orientation towards inclusion is not leading to poorer protection and the disciplining of households in highly unprotected circumstances.