Exclusió

Exclusió is a term used in social sciences to describe the process or state by which individuals or groups are systematically prevented from participating in social, economic, political, or cultural life. It highlights barriers that limit access to resources, opportunities, and rights, leading to unequal life chances and heightened vulnerability.

The concept is applied across multiple dimensions. Social exclusion refers to marginalization from community networks and social protection; economic exclusion to limited access to employment, income, and markets; political exclusion to barriers in influencing decisions and exercising civil rights; educational exclusion to unequal access to learning and credentialing; digital exclusion to lack of access to information and communication technologies; and spatial exclusion to living in areas with inadequate services or infrastructure.

Causes are multifaceted and can be structural or individual. They include poverty and income inequality, discrimination on grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, or nationality, legal or language barriers, low educational attainment, and sparse access to affordable healthcare, housing, or transportation. Social norms and institutional design can reinforce exclusion by reinforcing stigma or denying participation.

Indicators of exclusion span income, employment, health, education, housing, and social participation. Consequences include poorer health, reduced life expectancy, limited social mobility, and weakened social cohesion. Policy responses emphasize inclusive growth, universal access to services, anti-discrimination measures, inclusive education, and opportunities for civic and digital participation. See also social inclusion and human rights.