What is 'social cohesion', and can it be measured?

It seems like the buzz word of choice for politicians at the moment - social cohesion. But what does it actually mean? And can it be measured?

Credit: Catriona Stirrat

Key Points

• The first Australian politician to use the term was Gough Whitlam in 1972 - as he launched the Labor Party's election campaign.
• The Scanlon Foundation Research Institute started to measure social cohesion and conducts a survey.
• Dr Hass Dellal says the foundation of social cohesion is belonging.