ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how a critical realist approach can be used as an analytical tool to understand the dynamics of the relationship between social politics, institutions of social welfare and professional social and welfare implementation work. Critical realism emphasises the search for fundamental relationships and mechanisms which constitute the phenomenon under study and this distinguishes it from empiricism. The chapter presents the theoretical and methodological considerations and reflections. The chapter examines the institutional and discursive practices at municipal social welfare agencies. Social science phenomena are characterised by complexity, by their dependence on context and by the interplay among several motivating forces. This involves theoretical and methodological challenges for the study of implementation practices and their consequences. The chapter also discusses the relevance and potential of critical realism as an ontology for understanding the complex dynamics in a field of practice. It interpretes the norm of reciprocity as one of the central mechanisms but also the least problematised societal norm.
