Understanding Social Exclusion

Abstract

This paper seeks to demonstrate the importance of a clear understanding of the concepts of social exclusion and social inclusion, not only for policy makers, but for all practitioners tasked with the implementation of strategies to reduce/increase each, respectively. Following a discussion of the two terms, the paper presents government transport policy as a case study, discussing the recent Social Exclusion Unit report, Making the Connections, and its likely outcomes for social exclusion. The paper highlights the dangers inherent in a strategy which seeks to increase mobility to decrease exclusion, suggesting that such a policy fails adequately to consider a holistic approach to social exclusion. The paper discusses the place of mobility in strategies to decrease social exclusion and provides practical suggestions to maximise the social benefits of such strategies.