ABSTRACT
The chapter discusses the challenges of new right-wing populism to social work from an Italian perspective. Italy has been described as an early example of new right-wing populism characterised by a hostility towards minority groups and inclusive welfare. In light of this rise of right-wing populism, the chapter explores the influences on social work policies, organisations and practices. The chapter suggests that there is a direct impact both on the working methods of social workers and on their identity. Furthermore, social workers’ reactions to new right-wing populism have not yet taken the form of clearly-defined strategic actions. Professional experience, age, political orientation, organisational constraints and cultural context influence social workers’ positioning in the face of new right-wing populism. However, this ambiguous stance risks losing sight of the fact that right-wing populism has a profoundly eroding impact on social work, placing the profession at a crossroads between its swansong and new forms of activism.
