Reconsidering social inclusion/exclusion in social theory: nine perspectives, three levels

A dyadic mode of reasoning is used to consider social behaviour and practices that generate social inclusion and exclusion in contemporary globalized societies. After reviewing definitions of social inclusion/exclusion and their relationship to one another, the author examines nine perspectives on social exclusion and three levels of societal analysis through which social theorists attempt to understand inclusionary/exclusionary dynamics, processes and outcomes. Special attention is then given to the issues of inclusion/exclusion with regard to migration and citizenship and to the emergence and employment of these concepts in contemporary debates.