6306 - Introduction and Social Policy Theories

Policy

Political systems / Policies

Social Environment

Theories that help us understand the social, economic, political, cultural environmental context

What is Policy?

§  How we approach problems in our society

§  How we govern the behavior and interaction of citizens and of the governing body

§  Can be Broad or specific

§  Affects your work regardless of area of focus/ practice

Civil Servants

Government employees vetted through merit-based procedures designed to be separate from the political system

Generalist

·       A wider group of sw compared to specialist. Integrate political work into broader sw practice, sw may not engage with political processes daily, but understand policy making and political process

Political Social work

sw who effectively navigates power dynamics and political strategies in order to bring about social justice and social change

Specialist

Full-time macro-oriented political sw who are in jobs that require continual interaction with the political or policy process and call upon skills to provide leadership

Suffrage

·       The right to vote

What does Political Social Work Include?

expanding political participation, influencing policy agendas, working on campaigns

Three key factors precede people’s involvement in activities that influence politics and policy

§  Knowing how and what to do (Knowledge and skill)

§  Feeling like you want to--and are cable of--participating (Interest and efficacy)

§  Being asked/encouraged to participate

Contemporary political Social Work

includes sw practice, research, theory construction

What are the Domains of Political Social Work?

• Engaging Individuals and communities in political processes

• Influencing policy agendas and decision making

• Holding professional and political staff position

• Engaging with electoral campaigns

• Seeking and holding elected office

Systems Theory

Helps us understand the interactions between individuals, communities, groups, organizations, larger social systems, and their environment

Conflict Theory

Conflict is seen as a fact of social life and as a natural process in society; conflict is the norm; and attends to power relations

Social Construct Theory

How society characterizes and internalizes messages about objects, groups, events; these constructions are absorbed by the public and affect public behavior