The resurgence of poverty and the struggle against exclusion: A new challenge for social security in Europe?

This article overviews the important ships that have taken place during recent decades in scientific thinking with respect to poverty and social exclusion, and social security in Europe. Starting from this it points to the basic aims, achievements and shortcomings of social security policies in the fight against social exclusion. As the lack of labour demand presents itself as the ultimate challenge for social security, the need for a European perspective is addressed, together with the inadequacy of existing policy‐making structures.