Critical theory and social work

In this chapter, the author explores one particular political influence on social welfare: ‘critical theory’, a set of ideas and practices that developed from those on the left of the political spectrum and has subsequently influenced, and been influenced by, other political and theoretical perspectives such as postmodernism and post-structuralism. The ideas of these 20^th-century social theorists, however, are often summarized as ‘critical theory’, though they are not necessarily the most influential on critical thought, because such influences are diverse and wide ranging. Critical theory has as its goal human liberation and works ‘to create a world which satisfies the needs and powers’ of human beings. Within social work, the term ‘critical theory’ is used to cover different perspectives. The author details some of the implications for social work that might generate views from practitioners about how these are wrestled with in the intensity of frontline practice.