Defining and Measuring Social Cohesion
SOCIAL POLICIES IN SMALL STATES SERIES
The country case studies and thematic papers in this series examine social policy issues facing small states and their implications for economic development. They show how, despite their inherent vulnerability, some small states have been successful in improving their social indicators because of the complementary social and economic policies they have implemented.
THEMATIC PAPER – SOCIAL COHESION
Social cohesion is a concept with multiple definitions and uses in the development community. Its general aim is to ensure that all citizens, without discrimination and on an equal footing, have access to fundamental social and economic rights. Jane Jenson examines this concept in policy debates and assesses its role in social development. Part I examines the literature on social cohesion, identifying three different ‘families’ of usage and the empirical grounding of each. Part II presents a range of indicators that have previously been used to measure social cohesion. Part III provides some discussion of the lessons to be drawn and the indicators that might be used to measure social cohesion in future.
Contents
Introduction
1. The Concept of Social Cohesion: Overview and Historical Perspective
1.1 Social cohesion as social inclusion
1.2 When social cohesion becomes social capital
1.3 Social cohesion, institutions and governance
1.4 Conclusions from the literature review
2. Indicators for Measuring Social Cohesion
3. Lessons and a Proposed Set of Indicators
Appendices
A. The Council of Europe’s Strategy for Social Cohesion
B. The European Union’s Indicators of Social Inclusion
References
About the contributor
Jane Jenson (Author)
Jane Jenson is based at the Département de science politique, Université de Montréal. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Citizenship and Governance.Browse subjects
- Agriculture Expand or collapse me
- Democracy and elections Expand or collapse me
- Debt and finance policy
- Economic development Expand or collapse me
- Education, gender and health Expand or collapse me
- Law and human rights Expand or collapse me
- Oceans and natural resources Expand or collapse me
- Public administration and governance Expand or collapse me
- Small states Expand or collapse me
- Sport for development and peace
- Taxation
- Trade Expand or collapse me
- Youth policy
