Against exclusion: Locus of enunciation and frontline social intervention

Abstract

This paper analyses the coherence between locus of enunciation and intervention strategies conducted by professionals implementing social programs against poverty and exclusion in Chile. Qualitative methods including thematic analysis of interviews with frontline professionals and written material related to their intervention process were applied. Inconsistencies between a locus of enunciation that emphasizes the structural nature of exclusion and an individual-based approach prevailing in practice were identified. Drawing upon these findings, a discussion on the possibilities of impacting the structural level throughout social interventions and contemporary challenges associated to such a task is proposed.