Multidimensional Exclusion Analysis on Indigenous Social Welfare Policy: Empirical Evidences from Social Change and Policy of Taiwanese Indigenous Peoples Survey  

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Abstract:

Introduction: Indigenous people often encounter social exclusion from mainstream society in many countries of the world. Previous studies indicate that social exclusion of indigenous peoples is a multidimensional process characterized by geographic remoteness, settlement isolation and racism. However, little is known about the multiple disadvantages in different domains of social welfare system that are experienced by indigenous Taiwanese. The objective of this study is to address the indigenous social exclusion by focusing on their accessibility to social welfare benefits. Methods: The data used in this study was drawn from the Social Change and Policy of Taiwanese Indigenous Peoples Survey in 2007, which included 2,040 respondents. This study employed several binary and ordered logistic regressions to examine the extent to which factors of ethnicity, community participation, and socio-demographic characteristics are associated with the likelihood of being excluded from receiving different kinds of social welfare payments. Results: The results showed that more than one third of respondents faced at least three dimensions of social welfare exclusion by having difficulty in accessing medical and health, housing, and financial supports. Logistic estimation of different exclusion equations revealed that the likelihood of being excluded from social welfare payments are higher for those who are plains indigenes, live outside of designated indigenous areas, and less participated in local organization when compared to their counterparts. However, the significance testing results and the effects of other explanatory variables on social exclusion varied across different models of social welfare payments. Conclusions: This study provided empirical evidence of multidimensional disadvantages of indigenous peoples, such as exclusion from receiving cash payments from different social welfare benefits. The main policy implication can be inferred for the multidimensionality of indigenous social exclusion. Stronger physical and social solidarity among indigenous peoples can effectively contribute to enhance social inclusion and accessibility to multiple social welfare resources including preservation and maintenance of indigenous traditional territory, encourage and enhancement of participating in local community organizations.