ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines some key features of Marxism as it relates to social work and offers examples of Marxist social work within the varying contexts of capitalist states, popular movements, and socialist states. It provides a review of historical and contemporary literature, building on Vickers. The chapter presents brief case studies of the changing role of social work in a handful of socialist countries, to illustrate the diversity of approaches and make the case for further research. The English-language literature on Marxist social work is mostly limited to the ‘Radical Social Work’ tradition, and the experience of socialist countries is neglected. Marxism uncovers the political character of social work, which has often been obscured by claims to impartiality and universal human rights. The state is of crucial significance, both for the class struggle and for social work, and for Marxist social workers it is therefore decisive.
