Avery Calhoun

Elizabeth Whitmore

Maureen G. Wilson

The stories of eight diverse social justice movements—including the Alberta College of Social Workers, the Calgary Raging Grannies, Oxfam Canada, and the Youth Project of Halifax—are shared in this unique look into how activists determine or define their effectiveness and achievements. Revealing that success is not measured only in large-scale social reform, but is also found in moments of connection, such as in building relationships and raising awareness, this record provides meaningful insights into the struggle against neoliberal capitalism. A contribution to the movements challenging the domination of free-market ideology, this book offers a space for reflecting on the impacts of activist groups.

Activism that Works

Michael Lavalette

Iain Ferguson

Globalization has become a seemingly unstoppable force over recent decades and, in its wake, global notions of social justice have developed in response to its negative aspects. Neo-liberal economic policies have been a key element in the wider process of globalization, and these policies have had a profound impact on welfare provision and the shape of social work practice. Arising dissatisfaction among users of welfare and social work services is fuelling the search for a new, more radical social work that is firmly rooted in principles of social justice. Globalisation, Global Justice and Social Work explores the global effects of neo-liberal policies on welfare services in different countries, with contributions from social work academics, practitioners and welfare activists around the world. The first section of the book presents case studies of impact of neo-liberalism on welfare systems, social service provision and the practice of social work. In the second section the chapters explore the relationship between social work practice and the struggle for social justice. Authors discuss the personal and political dilemmas they have had to address in seeking to link a personal commitment to social justice with their daily practice as workers and educators in social work. The final section assesses the prospects for social work practice based on notions of social justice, by looking at what can be learned from the experience of previous radical movements as well as from emergent global and local movements.

Elizabeth Whitmore

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