The New Structural Social Work: Ideology, Theory, and Practice

An up-to-date and thorough investigation of progressive social work theoryThis fully updated edition explores the shortcomings of welfare capitalism and reveals how conventional social work fails to respond to systemic social problems. By presenting a coherent theory of progressive social work with oppression as its focus, this text shows how students can incorporate a radical alternative to conventional social work within their own practice.

Table of Contents:
Note: Every chapter includes: - Introduction - Conclusion - Critical Questions Part One: In Search of a Paradigm 1. The Social Work Vision: A Progressive View Conventional and Progressive Perspectives within Social Work Need for a Progressive Social Work Vision The Fundamental Values of Social Work The Secondary (Instrumental) Values of Social Work A Progressive Perspective of Social Work Ideology Social Work and Social Problems The Ideal Social Welfare System: A Progressive View 2. Capitalism, Crises, and Paradigms The Changing Face of Capitalism The Globalization Thesis The Crisis of the Welfare State in an Age of Globalization Social Work in Crisis Hopeful Signs The Concepts of Ideology and Paradigm Utility of the Paradigm Concept for Social Work 3. The Neo-Conservative Paradigm Conservatism Neo-Conservatism Views of the Nature of Humans, Society, the State, Social Justice, and Social Change Social Beliefs Economic Beliefs Political Beliefs View of Social Problems View of Social Welfare Social Work Practice within the Neo-Conservative Paradigm Critique of the Neo-Conservative Paradigm 4. The Liberal and Neo-Liberal Paradigms Liberalism(s) Views of the Nature of Humans, Society, the State, Social Justice, and Social Change Social Beliefs Economic Beliefs Political Beliefs View of Social Problems View of Social Welfare Social Work Practice within the Liberal Paradigm Canada as a Liberal State Critique of the Liberal Paradigm Liberal Hegemony in Social Work 5. The Social Democratic Paradigm Socialism Social Democracy Views of the Nature of Humans, Society, the State, Social Justice, and Social Change Social Beliefs Economic Beliefs Political Beliefs View of Social Problems View of Social Welfare Social Work Practice within the Social Democratic Paradigm Critique of the Social Democratic Paradigm Current Status of Social Democracy in Three Anglo-Democracies 6. The Marxist Paradigm Marxism Views of the Nature of Humans, Society, the State, Social Justice, and Social Change Social Beliefs Economic Beliefs Political Beliefs View of Social Problems View of Social Welfare Social Work Practice within the Marxist Paradigm Critique of the Marxist Paradigm Contributions of Marxism to Social Work in Anglo-Democracies 7. Feminist, Anti-Racist, and Postmodern Critiques Feminist Critique Anti-Racist Critique Postmodern Critique Part Two: Structural Social Work Theory and Oppression 8. A Reconstructed Theory of Structural Social Work Socialist Ideology The Heritage of Structural Social Work Theory The Imperative of Theory for Social Work Order and Conflict/Change Perspectives Structural Social Work as a Critical Social Theory The Dialectic in Structural Social Work Structural Social Work: A Conceptual Framework 9. Oppression: The Focus of Structural Social Work The Nature of Oppression Oppression as a Social Justice Issue The Origins of Modern-Day Oppression and the Politics of Identity The Dynamics of Oppression Levels of Oppression The Multiplicity and Persistence of Oppression Forms of Oppression Oppression as Structural Violence Responses of Oppressed People to Their Oppression Structural Social Work with Oppressed Groups 10. Overview of Privilege NEW The Nature of Privilege Dynamics of Privilege Personal, Cultural, and Structural Levels of Privilege Why Dominant Groups Do Not See Privilege as a Problem A Taxonomy of Everyday Examples of Unearned Privilege Social Work and Privilege What Can We Do? Pedagogy of Privilege Part Three: Structural Social Work: Practice Elements 11. Working Within (and Against) the System: Radical Humanism Working with Service Users Consciousness-Raising In the Belly of the Beast: Surviving and Changing the Workplace 12. Working Outside (and Against) the System: Radical Structuralism and Working within Ourselves Working Outside and Against the System Challenging and Resisting the Dominant Order The Moral Premise of Social Welfare: Universal Human Needs Working within Ourselves Making the Political Personal in Our Own Lives Notes Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Bob Mullaly is senior scholar and former dean in the Faculty of Social Work at University of Manitoba. Previously, he taught in the Department of Social Work at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, and in the social work program that he founded at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He has co-authored the recent third edition of Challenging Oppression and Confronting Privilege with Juliana West (OUP Canada, 2018). Marilyn Dupré is assistant professor and director of the School of Social Work at St. Thomas University. She has previously taught in social work departments at Carleton University and University of Manitoba. Marilyn has published articles in Social Work Education, and her research interests include structural social work theory and practice, critical anti-oppressive theory and practice, and critical disability studies and social work education. In addition to her scholarship, she has a long history of in-service social work practice, including four years as the child welfare program manager for the Government of New Brunswick.

Review :
"A necessary and timely book that engages students in critical inquiry about Canadian and global economic and political systems, societies, governments, and the social work profession." --Susan Hillock, Trent University "This is an excellent resource for theory and the application of principles of structural social work. The book clearly explains theory and then goes on to demonstrate how it can be applied in real-life practical contexts." --Anne Wagner, Nipissing University