Critical Thoughts on American Social Work and the Crisis of Modernity: Lessons From Theory and Current Events. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cherry, Kevin
• Is Part Of: Journal of progressive human services. Volume 29:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Modernity -- neoliberalism -- New Social Work Left -- politics -- radical social work; Social service -- United States -- Periodicals; Radicalism -- United States -- Periodicals; 361.97305
• DOI: 10.1080/10428232.2017.1334286
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-8232

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Social work in America is at a curious junction: continue down the status quo path of professionalization or embrace an antagonistic and critical, political stance toward global institutions and the logics of injustice. This article defines the junction as a crisis of modernity wherein the institutions and logics reflecting modernity's primary forms—capitalism and democracy—suffer material and affective setbacks. The New Social Work Left movement is advocated as a useful response to the crisis of modernity, and initial strategies are offered for fostering a New Social Work Left in the United States.