Introduction

Neoliberalism transmogrifies every human domain, along with human subjectivity itself, and all spheres of existence are framed and measured by economic terms and metrics, even when those spheres are not directly monetised. Considering the social environment in evaluating an individual's social behaviour and position is what distinguishes social work from other caring professions. The globalisation of neoliberalism specifically has influenced social work in many ways. Neoliberal transformations have influenced nation states not only in the West but also across the whole world, with neoliberalism as the constitutive part of globalisation. A. Stebbing and Spies-Butcher argue that the new neoliberal restructuring of market, societies and politics has created a 'dual welfare state'. Neoliberal reforms have increased inequalities in even the traditionally egalitarian countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.