Social Work, Politics and Society

This original and stimulating book examines contemporary issues in social work, particularly exploring the politicisation of the profession from the 1970s onwards. Detailing the wider social and political influences on the development of social work, the book argues that underlying much social theory and practice is a pessimistic and degraded view of humanity. The author discusses different areas of social work in relation to this diminished view of the human subject, exploring the rise of the concept of abuse, the focus on individual vulnerability and the fear of the other, as well as the threat to civil liberties and privacy that has influenced changes in mental health legislation and the introduction of the Social Care Register.The book highlights the need for a new approach to social work that has a more optimistic view of both individuals and society, and of their capacity to overcome problems. It is essential reading for students of sociology, politics and social work and for those involved in social policy and social care practice.

ISBN 1847420443   Pages 192 ISBN13 9781847420442 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Policy Press   Weight (grammes) 299 Imprint Policy Press   Published in Bristol Format Paperback   Height (mm) 234 Publication date 30 Jun 2008   Width (mm) 156 Library of Congress HV40   Spine width (mm) 13 DEWEY 361.32   Academic level Postgraduate DEWEY edition DC22

		Acknowledgements
		Introduction
1		Understandings of and developments within social work		1
2		Politicising social work		23
3		'Depoliticising' social work		41
4		Agency, pathology and abuse		61
5		The politics of risk and mental health		81
6		The subject of stress		101
7		From at risk to a risk: regulating social work		121
8		Politics and social work		139
		References		149
		Index		169

"Ken McLaughlin exposes the authoritarian consequences of the 'therapeutic' turn in contemporary political life and rightly insists that the future of social work depends upon it mounting a robust defence of the human subject. This is a truly radical perspective on social work, past, present and future." Mary Langan, The Open University

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