Social exclusion and equal opportunities

Abstract

This paper examines the concept of social exclusion as articulated in the three recent European Commission White Papers on economic, social and teaching and learning policy. Between them, these papers set the framework for the development of policies for the European Union from now until well into the next millenium. How is ‘social exclusion’ conceptualized? How does the concept differ from earlier formulations of disadvantage such as poverty and multiple deprivation? Crucially what is the relationship between policies designed to combat social exclusion and those aimed developing competitiveness, and at fostering equal treatment for all citizens of the Single Market? The model of equality which underlines the policies in the White Papers remains the liberal approach of providing opportunities to individuals on an equal basis. This ignores structural disadvantage on a group basis. By contrast the discourse of the White Papers on social exclusion is couched entirely in terms of group disadvantage: the young unemployed and single mothers are among those so identified. The failure to engage with the significance of gender in the structuring of opportunities builds on an assumption that institutions and their processes are gender‐neutral, which of course they are not. The paper concludes that policies and programmes based on a concern with social exclusion while undoubtedly of assistance to some groups (including ones which include or comprise women) fail to address the structural rootedness of gender divisions, and therefore cannot but be limited in their effects.