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Social work and macro-economic neoliberalism: beyond the social justice rhetoric.

Spolander, Gary; Engelbrecht, Lambert; Pullen Sansfa�on, Annie

Authors

Lambert Engelbrecht

Annie Pullen Sansfa�on



Abstract

Macro-economic policy shapes and structures social welfare policy, services, and their implementation. As a result, the commoditisation of social welfare services and the use of markets as well as private sector management philosophies and tools have colonised and fashioned the design, provision and implementation of social welfare policy and structures. The impact has been far reaching, from limiting social welfare responses of elected democratic government to shaping the profession in a range of intended and unintended directions. Written from a UK perspective, this paper proposes a discussion of the impact of macro-economic neoliberal policies in the field of social welfare and explores the implications for social work practice. The paper also promotes a debate within the profession regarding the importance of macro-economic analysis and possible responses, as well as suggesting a way forward within European and, more broadly, international practice contexts.

Citation

SPOLANDER, G., ENGELBRECHT, L. and PULLEN-SANSFAÇON, A. 2016. Social work and macro-economic neoliberalism: beyond the social justice rhetoric. European journal of social work [online], 19(5), pages 634-649. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2015.1066761

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 26, 2015
Online Publication Date Aug 26, 2015
Publication Date Sep 2, 2016
Deposit Date Aug 26, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal European Journal of Social Work
Print ISSN 1369-1457
Electronic ISSN 1468-2664
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 19
Issue 5
Pages 634-649
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2015.1066761
Keywords Neoliberalism; Ordoliberalism; International social work; Social welfare policy; Professionalism; Democracy; Social movements
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1328527

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