Diversity enforces social exclusion: Does exclusion never cease?

Abstract

Diversity plays a vital role in sustainable development of any country. Discrimination, segregation and bigotry are escalating the pressure on the world’s population. This study aims to investigate the impact of ethnic and religious diversity on social exclusion (in the form of economic exclusion, exclusion from public service and exclusion from civic and public participation as indicated by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) by using data from 187-countries. Based on panel data methodology this study concludes that diversity, either ethnic or religious or both, can increase social exclusion and affect wellbeing at a population level. This study suggests that ethnic and religious diversity is an inherent part of most societies in a globalised world and is unlikely to be halted yet the unintended negative impacts of such increased diversity can be minimized by establishing cohesiveness in society.