Power and Social Work in the United Kingdom
Gilbert, Tony Powell, Jason
Gilbert, Tony
Powell, Jason
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EPub Date
Publication Date
2010-01-08
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Abstract
This article explores relations of power in social work using insights drawn from the critical ‘toolkit’ emanating from work of French philosopher, Michel Foucault. The article discusses the relationship between Foucault’s conceptual tools of ‘knowledge and power’, the emergence of ‘the modern subject’ and the concept of ‘governmentality’. Despite ongoing pressures, professional expertise persists as a core element of neo-liberal government in the management of the population. We use a Foucauldian perspective to explore two issues central to contemporary practice: surveillance and discretion that epitomise dualism of power relations. On the one hand, surveillance brings with it a potentially problematic process especially in context of top down managerial power; yet, on the other hand, discretion is much more focused on what Foucault (1977) calls ‘the microphysics of power’ with opportunities for ‘resistance’ from the bottom up.
Citation
Gilbert, T., & Powell, J. (2010). Power and social work in the United Kingdom. Journal of Social Work, 10(1), 3-22.
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Journal
Journal of Social Work
Research Unit
DOI
10.1177/1468017309347237
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
en
Description
Series/Report no.
ISSN
1468-0173
EISSN
1741-296X