8. Conclusion: Social In/Exclusions of Minorities in an Uncertain European Future

The conclusion chapter brings together an overview of the key components regarding social in/exclusion analyzed throughout the book. It highlights the linkages and gaps between the EU-level formulation of policies and their domestic implementation, the differences between member states, as well as between various aspects of social inclusion as measured by the most important indexes. Moreover, this chapter lays out future challenges for the inclusion of gender and sexual minorities, as well as migrants and refugees : changing demographics and the impact on Europe’s economies and welfare systems, increasing cultural and social diversity, geopolitical fragmentation in the European and global governance systems , human rights culture wars, artificial intelligence and the political challenges, expectations, and activisms regarding social inclusion. It stresses that in all these areas, societal inclusions as well as political exclusions co-determine the range of possible actions the EU can take to prove more resilient in an uncertain time. It posits that while shared governance through the EU has come under pressure, given the complex interplay of often rapidly emerging issues, it is in the best interest of states to respond to those, taking into account civic input and activism.