On the theoretical reach of the concept “exclusion”

Abstract

The paper discusses the concept of social exclusion. Grounded on the presentation of part of the contemporary literature on that issue, it aims at setting up the theoretical possibilities and limitations of that concept. Firstly, the author reports the main contemporary strategies for the conceptualization of exclusion, and attempts to demonstrate that all of them are full of theoretical inaccuracies. Afterwards, he discusses the various theoretical approaches which support that the concept of social exclusion has brought up some novelty; at this point, special attention is given to the efforts of upraising exclusion to the condition of organizer of a new social paradigm. Finally, the author shows that exclusion is not capable of accomplishing such a complex task, as it is not more than the contemporary form of appearance of the inner logic of capital. Therefore, only inside a comprehensive theory can this concept meet its real reach as the apparent manifestation of a hidden background. Following these steps, the autor discusses the various theoretical roles that can be played by the concept of exclusion, as well as its reach and limitations as a descriptive concept, an interpretive concept, and an operative concept. Key words: Social exclusion; social paradigm; Karl Marx.