The Influence of Neoliberal Economic Policy on the Emancipatory Mission of Social Work

Abstract

Abstract Neoliberalization of society places severe limitations on the emancipatory mission of social work. Through economic policy, one of the four policies described by Loïc Wacquant through which neoliberalization is promoted, neoliberal states seek to promote market principles throughout the entire society, including in public services. This also applies to social work systems, which in this paradigm are subjected to market conditions to minimize costs and even to generate a profit. The aim of this chapter is to present connections among selected aspects of neoliberal economic policy along with the influence of these features on the fulfillment of the emancipatory mission of social work. The chapter will present three original qualitative research projects conducted in the Czech context which deal with the effects of underfunding and budget cuts, outsourcing services, as well as enforcing the principles of competition in the implementation of social work in the Czech Republic. In the conclusion, it will be discussed how the education system of social workers might respond to these trends.

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