Affecting Change: Social Workers in the Political Arena, 7th Edition

Foreword by Senator Barbara A. Mikulski

Preface

About the Authors

1 All Social Work Is Political

The Time is Now

Reference

2 Social Work Values versus Politics

The Professional Code of Ethics

Primary Principles: Social Justice and Empowerment

Specialization versus Systemic Solutions

Self-Determination versus Compromise

Emotional Neutrality versus Client Self-Interest

Impartiality versus Partisan Politics

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so...

Suggested Readings

References

3 The Emergence of a Social Work Polity

The Reform Period

The New Deal and Beyond

The War on Poverty

Social Action Models

Federalism

The New Federalism

The 1990s

The George “Dubya” Bush Era

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so...

Suggested Readings

References

4 The Debate

Some Perspectives

When Karen Met Harry: Unfaithful Angels Disputed

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so...

Suggested Readings

References

5 Policy Models for Political Advocacy

Models Defined

Institutional Model

Process Model

Group Theory Model

Elite Theory Model

Rational Model

Incremental Model

A Proactive Approach to Policy Development

Policy Analysis

Policy Evaluation

Effort

Quality

Effectiveness

Efficiency

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so...

Suggested Readings

References

6 The Practitioner’s Influence on Policy

Information Dissemination

Documentation

Testimony

Expert Witness

Written Communication

Client Empowerment

Enabler/Advocate Role

Evaluator/Consultant Role

Voter Registration

Hatch Act

The Executive’s Role in Influencing Policy

Influencing Policy: An Illustration

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so...

Suggested Readings

References

7 Influence through Lobbying

Social Work Skills in the Political Process

The Political Process

The Politician

The Informal Political Process

Lobbying Groundwork

Goal Setting

Strategy Setting

Lobbying Methods

Letter Writing

Telephoning

Face-to-Face Lobbying

Testifying

Lobbying and Nonprofits

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so...

Suggested Readings

References

8 Tools to Influence and Organize Others

Ten Phases of a Social Movement

Strategy

Coalition Building

Gimmicks

Technology

Using the Media

Newspapers

Radio

Television

Examples of Organizing Others

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so...

Suggested Readings

References

9 Monitoring the Bureaucracy

Promulgating the Rules

Rule Implementation and Agency Compliance

Budget Allocations

Administrative Changes or Executive Orders

Social Work Skills

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so...

Suggested Readings

References

10 The Campaign

Components of the Campaign

Time

Money

People

Campaign Management

The Campaign Manager: Who Really Runs the Campaign?

Voter Contact

Targeting

Issues

Social Workers and Campaigns

What to Expect When Volunteering

Political Action Committees

How to Volunteer for a Campaign

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so...

Suggested Readings

References

11Social Workers as Politicians

Respondent Characteristics

Deciding to Run

Building a Constituent Base

Campaigning

Realities of Office

Recommendations

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so...

Suggested Readings

References

12 Your Time is Now

Where to Start

Just Do It

Do It Early

People Influence People

You Can Make a Difference

Advocacy Is Not for Wimps

Speak Out

Just Say No

Your Time is Now

Conclusion

All Social Work is Political, so.

Suggested Reading

References

Glossary of Legislative Terms

Index