ABSTRACT

This chapter reviews the development of social work in Taiwan, locating it within the context of regime transition. The author argues that social work in Taiwan is influenced by a combination of internal and external factors: internally, the legacy of authoritarianism and externally, professional social work in America. State regulation of the licensing examination is significant and social workers are mainly employed by the government to deliver welfare services. As the regime experiences democratization and new welfare issues arise, induced by globalization, Taiwan’s social workers are now involved in collective action and policymaking for social reforms; thereby, social work is developing into an empowered professional community within civil society.