Social exclusion
Topic: Equality and Social Justice · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Social exclusion is the process by which people or groups are shut out, fully or partly, from economic, social and political life. The cause is their identity, such as caste, gender, disability or ethnicity, and not only low income. The idea shows that poverty is not the whole story. A group can be kept out of jobs, schools, housing or public life even when income alone does not explain it. Seeing this helps the state design remedies aimed at the right groups.
Example
The Sachar Committee (2006) studied the social, economic and educational condition of Muslims in India. It found that they lagged behind in education, jobs and access to public services. This is a clear case of disadvantage linked to identity.
Don't confuse with
- Poverty: poverty is about low income or unmet basic needs. Social exclusion is about being shut out because of who you are, and it can affect people who are not poor.