Affecting Change: Social Workers in the Political Arena

by Haynes, Karen S.; Mickelson, James S.

• ISBN13: 9780205360109
• ISBN10: 0205360106
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

An action-oriented text, the Fifth Edition of Affecting Change continues to provide new ideas and strategies to help students become better advocates for their future clients. Updated to reflect advances in technology and changes in social welfare policy, this revision shows students how to develop political action skills. This practical, step-by-step guide focuses on advocacy as the central mission of social work practice. New material and personal scenarios involving social workers who have made a differencesenators, representatives, and officials in the political arenaserve to inspire students. Revised and expanded chapters show how social work skills can be most effective, whether by impacting the political arena as a social worker or running for office.

Table of Contents

Each chapter includes “Conclusion,” “Assignments,” “Suggested Readings,” and “References.”

1. All Social Work Is Political.

2. The Emergence of a Social Work Policy.
The Reform Period.
The New Deal and Beyond.
The War on Poverty.
Social Action Models.
Federalism.
The New Federalism.
The 1990s.
The New Millenium.

3. The Debate.
Some Perspectives.
When Karen Met Harry: Unfaithful Angels Disputed.

4. 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.

5. Policy Models for Political Advocacy.
Models Defined.
A Proactive Approach to Policy Development.
Policy Analysis.
Policy Evaluation.

6. The Practitioner's Influence on Policy.
Information Dissemination.
Client Empowerment.
Hatch Act.
The Executive's Role in Influencing Policy.
Influencing Policy: An Illustration.

7. Influence Through Lobbying.
Social Work Skills in the Political Process.
The Political Process.
The Politician.
The Informal Political Process.
Lobbying Groundwork.
Lobbying Methods.
Letter Writing.
Technology.
Telephoning.
Face-to-Face Lobbying.
Testifying.
Lobbying and Nonprofits.

8. Tools to Influence and Organize Others.
Ten Phases of a Social Movement.
Strategy.
Influencing Others.
Coalition Building.
Technology Used to Organize Others.
Gimmicks.
Using the Media.
Examples of Organizing Others.

9. Monitoring the Bureaucracy.
Promulgating the Rules.
Rule Implementation and Agency Compliance.
Social Work Skills.

10. Political Action Committees.
Why Is a PAC Organized?
Process of Selection.
Candidate Endorsements.
Targeting.
Fall Out.
Idealism versus Winning.

11. The Campaign.
Components of the Campaign.
Campaign Management.
Issues.
Technology.
Social Workers and Campaigns.
What to Expect When Volunteering.
How to Volunteer for a Campaign.

12. Social Workers as Politicians.
Respondents' Characteristics.
Deciding to Run.
Building a Constituent Base.
Campaigning.
Realities of Office.
Recommendations.

13. Jump In.
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.

Glossary of Legislative Terms.

Web Sites.

Index.