Social exclusion in the low-income communities of Rio de Janeiro

Resumo

ABSTRACT: The intention of this paper is to show how the exchange of resources help the residents of low income communities lead productive lives, and how the exclusion from this exchange impedes community development and renders individuals and groups susceptible to poverty, risk, and vulnerability to outside stressors. The theory of Social Capital explains that the exchange of resources is necessary for residents of low income communities to live a productive life in diminished poverty. However, if the social bonds that facilitate this exchange are broken, individuals become socially excluded from the benefits of this exchange. Social exclusion occurs when individuals or groups are denied access to opportunities and resources they require. When individuals and groups cannot participate in the exchange of social and physical resources, levels of trust between members of a community will decrease along with the potential for development. Deprivation in one sphere of society generated by social, political, and economic vulnerability will affect deprivation in other areas. In this paper, I will discuss observable geographic exclusion and inclusion, as it appears in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.

KEYWORDS: Social Exclusion, Social Capital, Favelas.