Nexus between Social Exclusion and Social Development: A Case Study of District Lodhran, Pakistan

Abstract

This study reflects the nexus between social exclusion and social development in developing countries. It was carried out in Lodhran, a small district of South Punjab, Pakistan. This research concentrates on the social circumstances of poor communities and the services of governing institutions of the state. It is conducted specifically with the beneficiaries of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and major stakeholders of social development, like elected public representatives, governing officials of public institutions and some heads of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/ Social Development Organizations (SDOs). This study intends to recognize the exclusion of common man and how this exclusion decelerates the speed of social development at large. The situation of social development is evaluated in district Lodhran by analyzing the economic status, level of integration and relationships, situation of education, health, governance, discriminatory attitudes and the functionality of all services providers and stakeholders of the state. The results of this qualitative-cum quantitative study proves that if present economic status, situation of basic facilities, health, education governance are increased for the poor, the level of social exclusion would be decreased which will ultimately promote the social development. Likewise, if the level of engagement of elected politicians, government officials and activists from well-known development organizations with the communities is high, social exclusion of poor communities would be eliminated. Hence, minimization of the social exclusion to accelerate the social development is the need of the time.