Re-Examining the Use of Inclusive Society as a Solution to Social Inequalities: It’s Time we Address the Elephants in the House

Abstract

Social inclusion is one of the many social constructs of contemporary governments’ social integration policy. This paper critically analysed the policy goals of an inclusive society by examining the socioeconomic and politico-cultural milieus in which governments implement this policy. With references to the United States’ Affirmative Action and Canada’s Multiculturalism, one can infer that disadvantaged individuals, groups, or communities are neither included nor empowered through the processes of social inclusion. Consequently, this paper concluded that the process of social inclusion cannot lead to effective social integration, given the stagnant socio-economic and politico-cultural environments in which government implements this policy. Instead, most social inclusion programs have become the tools for forced social cohesion with minimal policy objectives to integrate disadvantaged individuals into mainstream society. In summary, social inclusion is a politically correct opiate that is being used to sedate socially excluded individuals or underprivileged communities until they disappear into obscurity.   Received: 4 January 2023 / Accepted: 26 February 2023 / Published: 6 March 2023