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To social workers, extreme economic inequality is primarily a violation of social justice, but this article shows how growing economic inequality since the mid-1970s was not only unjust, but also dysfunctional to the U.S. economy and linked to the recent economic crisis with its devastating effects, particularly on the social work clientele. The article identifies interrelated changes in ideology, the market economy, and government policies since the mid-1970s; contrasts the political economy of this period with the preceding post-World War II decades when the trend was toward a "shared prosperity"; and shows how increased economic inequality and political consequences that undermined democracy itself contributed to the economic meltdown. The analysis has implications for the direction of social reform and for broadening the constituency of social movements in pursuit of the social work mission of social justice. How social workers can contribute to such movements and to a reduction of economic and political inequality is explored.

In social work, it is believed that certain knowledge and skills are learned more effectively through experience than through didactic classroom content. Members of the faculty of a school of social work have developed a Social Action Day to reinforce curriculum and translate into practice material about advocacy and ethical responsibilities for social action; show the breadth of social work practice; and enhance the school's sense of community. The authors share their experience to inspire other social work faculty, so that they are better able to foster student interest and passion for political action that may generate social change. (Contains 2 tables and 1 footnote.)

Contends that major struggle remains to reduce military budget and to secure those funds for civilian purposes and that social workers have major stake in the outcome. Analyzes realities of post-cold war era, identifies what has and has not been changed by Operation Desert Storm, and discusses ways social workers can contribute to political struggle over national priorities. (NB)

Prior to establishing the National Jobs for All Coalition in June 1994, its founders spent seven years developing their plan for full employment in a globalized, late-20th-century economy. As veterans [...]

Reviewing child welfare, past and present, Lindsey concludes that hysteria over the horrors of child abuse has transformed public child welfare from 'a system serving a broad range of disadvantaged [...]

What does the Jobs for All Coalition think and do when unemployment rates are the lowest in 30 years? We celebrate the beneficial effects of lower unemployment. We urge political [...]

The South Carolina Department of Social Services has undertaken what appears to be a comprehensive survey of welfare recipients who have left the rolls. Those of us who have studied [...]

Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to investigate the quality of life of 102 persons who left the welfare rolls of a suburban county. Largely in low-wage jobs, if employed, and exposed to economic hardship, two-thirds nonetheless reported improved quality of life. Former recipients reported mistreatment by caseworkers and diminished self-worth, leading investigators to infer that it is not so much that life after welfare is better but that life on welfare is worse. Yet, the optimism of former recipients should not, it is argued, detract from the injustice of their hardship and economic exploitation. Policy changes that would mitigate their conditions are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]