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SELECTED ASPECTS OF SOCIAL EXCLUSION IN THE CONTEXT OF MACROSTRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE SOCIETY

M. Janikova, P. Kowalikova

Abstract

The aim of our study is to define and interpret macro-structural changes in a contemporary society that have determined a transformation of the way of life of selected social strata, and pushed their social status down. The authorВ’s intention is to highlight an individual impact of social changes, with a focus on the phenomenon of social exclusion of selected strata that consists of ever increasing number of individuals; that means their reduced chances to participate in economic, social and cultural life of the community. During past 10 years in the Czech Republic a number of the individuals affected by a social exclusion has almost doubled, in parallel, number of socially excluded localities has increased as well. A threat of social exclusion as a result of changes in the labour market as well as social security system has affected even employed individuals with a regular income, so called working poor. However, among the main causes of a social exclusion still remain unemployment, indebtedness, low education and qualification, ethnic origin, lone parenthood, large number of children, etc. Ignorance of a broader structural contexts and the psychologizing, or respectively individualization, of structurally caused phenomena results in a stigmatization of those excluded, who may be considered as only originator of their life situation. Such minimalist discourse is in current research papers, however, being replaced by a discourse taking into account all structural factors related to the provision and regulation of housing and social services provided by the government. Then a chosen discourse is reflected in political and academic debates, and reflects a classic dichotomy of a structure versus agency, that is present in social sciences, and also effects practical measures in area of social security. Theoretical background of our paper represents a concept of new social risks and their implications for a life of those excluded. Such claim is supported by the outputs of secondary data analysis. Exemplified statistical data reflect a state of social exclusion in the Czech Republic, and respectively in Moravian-Silesian region.

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