In Western Europe the notion of social exclusion is rapidly gaining acceptance. Developed originally in France but spreading in both academic and political Anglo-Saxon debates, this notion refers to the new social problems resulting from deep societal and economic restructuring associated with the emerging global economy. This book investigates the notion of social exclusion as a new way to approach issues such as the 'new poverty' - long-term unemployment, precariousness, social polarization and disintegration. This book emphasizes that what has been happening to exclusion (as the new social question) is a fundamental question which needs to be posed about the present pattern of development shaped by market forces on a global scale.