Social Work: Reform or Revolution?

First published in 1978, Social Work is concerned with relating social methods and objectives to political ideology. Social work grew out of the fertile tradition of mainstream Liberal radicalism in the nineteenth century, and to appreciate its largely implicit contemporary value framework it is essential to analyse the ideologies of ’Conservatism’ and ’social democracy’ which have dominated Britain in the twentieth century. The links between social work methods and aspirations and political ideology are thus explored in some detail. A key argument which closely involves social work relates to the potential for social change within the existing institutional structures. The question of ’Legitimation’ is thoroughly examined in this context from all viewpoints, and the conclusions for social work development are discussed. This book will be of interest to students of social work, sociology and political science.

Colin Pritchard and Richard Taylor