The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Social exclusion is a concept used to analyze poverty not just in terms of income, but in terms of the structural and social environment. It describes a state in which individuals or groups are unable to participate fully in the economic, social, and political life of the society in which they live.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: Social exclusion is defined as a process through which individuals or groups are excluded from facilities, benefits, and opportunities that others in society enjoy. It suggests that poverty must be seen in terms of the poor having to live only in a poor surrounding with other poor people, excluded from the enjoyment of social equality of better-off people in better surroundings.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Social exclusion is considered both a cause as well as a consequence of poverty. For instance, a person may be poor because they are socially excluded (e.g., denied a job due to caste or gender), making it a cause. Conversely, a person may be socially excluded because they are poor (e.g., unable to afford social participation), making it a consequence.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The caste system in India is a classic historical example of social exclusion. Certain groups have been systematically excluded from equal opportunities, resources, and social interactions based on birth, leading to entrenched poverty and deprivation.
Key Takeaway:
Social exclusion provides a qualitative perspective on poverty, highlighting that poverty is not merely a lack of income but also the denial of opportunities and social participation. It functions simultaneously as a cause and a consequence of deprivation.