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

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

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: Aug 26, 2022
• 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