ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to build upon theoretical discussions of social exclusion to construct an empirical model, using quantitative survey data, investigates the nature and extent of social exclusion in Great Britain. It attempts to clarify the conceptual and methodological properties of social exclusion by reviewing and evaluating theoretical work on disadvantage. The book focuses on the multi-dimensional nature of social exclusion. It deals with a brief exploration of one-dimensional disadvantage. The book introduces a longitudinal aspect to the investigation of social exclusion in Great Britain. It provides an examination of longitudinal patterns of non-monetary indicators of social exclusion – investigations seldom touched upon in previous studies. The book also investigates social exclusion across the European Union using the first three waves European Community Household Panel survey.
