Martinez (2016) Reinventing social work(3, Power, problems with modernist conceptions of power)

Big Systems That Shape Power and Social Issues:

• Capitalism: Focused on money and profit but can create inequality.

• Patriarchy: A system where men have more control and power than women.

• Coloniality of Power: Using race and ethnicity to dominate and exploit others.

• Eurocentrism: Focusing only on Western ideas and ignoring other cultures.

4. What is Social Order?

• Social order is how society is organized.

• It’s created by humans and can be changed if it’s unfair.

• It includes laws, customs, and systems that can either help or harm people.

5. Why Does Social Work Need Change?

• Traditional social work sometimes avoids talking about big issues like inequality and oppression.

• Social work should challenge unfair systems, not just provide temporary fixes.

6. Global Issues Highlighted in the Article:

• Wealth is unfairly distributed: A small number of people (1%) control most of the world’s money.

• Problems like poverty, environmental damage, and racism are connected to how power works worldwide.

• These issues harm people and the planet.

7. Examples of Social Movements:

• In different countries, people fight against unfair systems:

  • Argentina: Protests against harmful mining practices.

  • Brazil: Movements for democracy.

  • USA: The Occupy Wall Street movement fights wealth inequality with the slogan, “We are the 99%.”

8. The Role of Social Workers:

• They must:

  • Speak up against unfair policies.

  • Work together to create positive change.

  • Support people’s rights and fight systems that cause oppression.

• Social workers should not blame people for their struggles (e.g., poverty) but recognize the unfair systems causing them.

9. The Importance of Politics in Social Work:

• Politics shapes everything, from personal lives to global decisions.

• Social workers should be politically aware to make bigger changes in society.

10. Reinventing Social Work:

• Combine practice (helping people) with learning (research and training).

• Collaborate across different opinions to focus on shared goals like fairness and justice.

• Recognize diversity as a strength, not a weakness.

11. Inspirational Figures for Social Change:

• Famous leaders like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malala Yousafzai fought for justice and human rights.

• Their work shows how collective action can change the world.