Social Work and Social Theory: Making Connections

by Paul Michael Garrett

Overview

Drawing on a range of theorists and competing perspectives, this substantially updated and expanded second edition places social theory at the heart of social work pedagogy. This book imaginatively explores ways in which practitioners and social work educators might develop more critical and radical ways of theorising and working. It is an invaluable resource for students and contains features, such as Reflection and Talk Boxes, to encourage classroom and workplace discussions. This new edition includes: · An extensive additional chapter on Foucault · Reworked and expanded versions of the chapters featured in the highly-praised first edition · Revised Reflection and Talk Boxes · New and updated references to stimulate further reading and research

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781447341888
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	08/01/2018
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	276
Product dimensions:	6.77(w) x 9.45(h) x 0.03(d)

About the Author

Paul Michael Garrett works at NUI Galway in the Republic of Ireland. In 2018 he was Visiting Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY) and he has presented keynote papers at international conferences across Europe and in China. Contemporary neoliberalism and historical practices of marginalisation and domination are some of his key scholarly concerns. For over ten years, he has been a member of the editorial collective of Critical Social Policy. He is the author of over a hundred of internationally peer-reviewed articles of several books including Welfare Words: Critical Social Work & Social Policy (2018).

Table of Contents

Introduction; Part One: Debating modernity; ‘How to be modern’: Theorising modernity ‘Solid’ Modernity & ‘Liquid’ Modernity; Modernity and Capitalism; Modernity, neoliberalism, crisis; Part Two: Theorists; Thinking with Antonio Gramsci; Thinking with Pierre Bourdieu; Thinking with Jürgen Habermas; Thinking with Michel Foucault; Thinking with Axel Honneth and Nancy Fraser; Alternative Directions? Alain Badiou, Antonio Negri and Italian Autonomist Marxism, Luc Boltanski and Ève Chiapello; Conclusion: Looking for the ‘blue’.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Paul Michael Garrett’s excellent book has already become a social work classic. His work not only skilfully navigates complex theoretical debates but it also bridges the persistent and pervasive gap between social work theory and practice." Vasilios Ioakimidis, Professor of Social Work, University of Essex, England

“The second edition of Garrett’s insightful text provides a solid conceptual foundation for the development of critical social work at a time when it is more necessary than ever.” Michael Reisch, Daniel Thursz Distinguished Professor of Social Justice, School of Social Work, University of Maryland, US

“A necessary and important book that explains with passion, wit and insight the links between social theory and social work practice; it will be invaluable to students and practitioners alike.” Gary Walker, Principal Lecturer, Childhood and Early Years, Leeds Beckett University

Editorial Reviews

"In this revised and expanded edition Garrett offers a rich and insightful exploration of essential social theory for social work which will be a vital resource for social work educators and students." Liz Beddoe, Associate Professor, University of Auckland, Aotearoa, New Zealand

"Paul Michael Garrett is one of the most respected and prolific social work scholars writing on neoliberalism, the welfare state and social work… Social work scholars who recognize the importance of critical social theory and want to engage their students in 'bigger picture' debates should foreground this book in their reading lists as it is an absolutely vital teaching aid prompting debate on an complex array of issues impacting on social work and, more broadly, social policy. Scholarly and passionate, Social Work and Social Theory is an excellent book which will strengthen critical and radical social work thought and nurture stimulating debates in, and beyond, the profession." Critical Social Policy

From the Publisher

Paul Michael Garrett is one of the most respected and prolific social work scholars writing on neoliberalism, the welfare state and social work… Social work scholars who recognize the importance of critical social theory and want to engage their students in ‘bigger picture’ debates should foreground this book in their reading lists as it is an absolutely vital teaching aid prompting debate on an complex array of issues impacting on social work and, more broadly, social policy. Scholarly and passionate, Social Work and Social Theory is an excellent book which will strengthen critical and radical social work thought and nurture stimulating debates in, and beyond, the profession’.

Critical Social Policy

In this revised and expanded edition, Garrett offers a rich and insightful exploration of essential social theory for social work that will be a vital resource for social work educators and students.

University of Auckland Liz Beddoe

A necessary and important book that explains with passion, wit, and insight the links between social theory and social work practice. It will be invaluable to students and practitioners alike.

Leeds Beckett University Gary Walker

Paul Michael Garett’s excellent book has already become a social work classic. His work not only skillfully navigates complex theoretical debates but it also bridges the persistent and pervasive gap between social work theory and practice.

University of Essex Vasilios Ioakimidis

The second edition of Garrett’s insightful text provides a solid conceptual foundation for the development of critical social work at a time when it is more necessary than ever.

University of Maryland Michael Reisch

“This book develops important links between direct social work practice and critical social theory. . . . [It is] written in a way which that encourages thinking about how social theories and theorists relate to everyday practice in social work, as opposed to concentrating on theories of ‘how to do’ social work. . . . In terms of structure, the book is accessible and could easily be used in social work education as a tool for stimulating critical analysis. . . . Relevant for students and early-career researchers, Garrett’s book asserts the importance of developing and extending the application of social theory in social work and simultaneously offers a strong critique of the post-modern tradition.

Critical and Radical Social Work - Laura Meehan

“Garrett has highlighted for us once again the looking beyond the standardized parameters of institutional practice, and . . . seeking inspiration and indeed practical insights from a wider range of sources than are commonly utilized. . . . As in his previous work, the author has achieved a precious objective in successfully making us think, and think critically for practice.

Journal of Power - Roger Smith

“This book fills a gap in the increasingly atheoretical literature of social work. It provides clear and incisive analyses of major critical theorists and demonstrates how their work can shape progressive practice.”   

University of Maryland - Michael Reisch

“This is a well-written book by a respected author. It demonstrates a wealth of relevant knowledge and provides a clear overview of a highly complex field.” 

Avenue Consulting - Neil Thompson

“The book is extremely well structured [,] . . . written in a way that is readily accessible and intelligible and is presented clearly enough for the reader to . . . develop their own critique despite the fact that many of the selected theorists are known sometimes for their use of impenetrable prose. . . . Refreshingly, not all selected theorists are those likely to be familiar to all readers and this combination of ‘predictable’ or familiar aspects with newer perspectives is a real strength of this book. . . . Undeniably, a ‘good read’ and should certainly stimulate thoughts and debates.

Social Work Education - Cath Holmström

“As neoliberalism brings ‘managerialism’ into social services, Garrett’s highly accessible and provocative conversation with theorists importantly opens the door to critical thinking about the role of government, the functioning of social agencies, and the capacity of social workers to deliver services to people in need. Garrett’s thoughtful and in-depth engagement with major social theories should encourage social workers—who sit at the intersection between the individual and the state, to assess—and to challenge—the status quo.

Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center - Mimi Abramovitz

 “Garrett’s book continues the tradition of radical social work and his analysis emphasizes, by selection of social theorists, the changes since the 1970s. Due to the great ‘recession’ discussions like this are more urgent.

European Journal of Social Work - Niels Rosendal Jensen

“Garrett has set himself an ambitious task in writing a book which draws on a broad range of social theorists in examining what relevance they have to social work as an academic subject, a professional practice, and as a response to problems that will inevitably emerge under the present social order. The strengths in this text lie in Garrett’s own evident passion for the topic and his acute observations of the theories discussed. . . . I believe this book is an excellent contribution to social work literature in Ireland and further afield and may be what social work needs, if not necessarily what it wants.” 

Irish New Left Review - Darren Broomfield

“Garrett has provided trenchant critiques of the changes forced onto social work since the onset of neoliberalism—a political philosophy that promotes, among other things, privatisation and free trade—in the late 1970s. His call has always been for a more critical and creative response to what has happened to social work and the people it serves. . . . This book is essential reading for those wanting a more radical/critical social work.

Community Care - Steve Rogowski

“Social Work and Social Theory is . . . a brave and inspired attempt to argue for a better engagement with the potential of critical theory to improve our understanding of the social work labour process [and] the corrosive impact of neoliberalism on all spheres of life. . . . It is a fascinating and well-written read. . . . The author’s ornate style of writing, enthusiasm, and keen endeavour to keep the material up to date holds the reader’s attention.

Critical Social Policy - Malcolm Carey

“Paul Michael Garrett’s Social Work and Social Theory is a wonderfully rich reflection on the uses of social theory to critically contextualize social work practice. Drawing on a wide range of contemporary theorists, the book insightfully shows that theory can help social workers rethink the commonly accepted understandings of their roles and responsibilities today.” 

Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research - Sanford Schram

“This stand-out book . . . richly and compellingly reminds readers that social and critical theory allow us to understand and unpick the complexity, politics, and power of social inequality. . . . The fact that Garrett is able to make the ideas of these sometimes challenging theorists a relatively ‘easy read’ is an achievement in itself. However, what makes [it] so useful to social work is the convincing way [he] enables and facilitates dialogue both between the theorists and in relation to social work. The book intelligently reminds of the transformative ideals and values of social work which inevitably engages one in thinking deeply about the social, cultural, ideological, and economic influences impacting upon contemporary social work practice. . . . It is convincingly argued that critical theory is a ‘vital resource for . . . progressive social work’ in that it facilitates new understandings and deep reflection. . . . Invigorating, relevant, and successful in generating a positive will towards politically informed and activist social work. It is highly recommended.

British Journal of Social Work - Lel Meleyal

The book . . . richly and compellingly reminds readers that social and critical theory allow us to understand and unpick the complexity, politics, and power of social inequality. . . . Modern, invigorating, relevant, and successful in generating a positive will towards politically informed and activist social work. It is highly recommended.

British Journal of Social Work

This book is essential reading for those wanting a more radical/critical social work.” 

Community Care