Critical Social Work Seminar 2 2010[1]

CRITICAL SOCIAL WORKCRITICAL SOCIAL WORK

SOCW4002 Direct Methods of PracticeSOCW4002 Direct Methods of Practice

20102010

Linda SmithLinda Smith

CRITICAL SOCIAL WORKCRITICAL SOCIAL WORK

SEMINAR 2: CONTENTSSEMINAR 2: CONTENTS

CRITICAL THEORYCRITICAL THEORY

CRITICAL SOCIAL WORKCRITICAL SOCIAL WORK

OPPRESSION AND POLITICS OF IDENTITYOPPRESSION AND POLITICS OF IDENTITY

POST-COLONIAL THOUGHTPOST-COLONIAL THOUGHT

WHAT IS CRITICAL THEORY?WHAT IS CRITICAL THEORY?

Early critical theory is broadly Marxist. It is the account of the Early critical theory is broadly Marxist. It is the account of the social forces of domination that takes its theoretical activity to be social forces of domination that takes its theoretical activity to be practically connected to the object of its study… Critical theory is practically connected to the object of its study… Critical theory is not merely descriptive, it is a way to instigate social change by not merely descriptive, it is a way to instigate social change by

providing knowledge of the forces of social inequality that can, in providing knowledge of the forces of social inequality that can, in turn, inform political action aimed at emancipation (or at least turn, inform political action aimed at emancipation (or at least

diminishing domination and inequality).diminishing domination and inequality).(Rush, 2004:10)(Rush, 2004:10)

Rush, F. (Ed). (2004). Rush, F. (Ed). (2004). The cambridge companion to critical theory. The cambridge companion to critical theory. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

THE POLITICS OF HELPINGTHE POLITICS OF HELPING

““The two men… were psychologists who put to practice their The two men… were psychologists who put to practice their professions in ways that made history and affected the lives of professions in ways that made history and affected the lives of

millions… Verwoerd was a staunch white supremist, a Nazi millions… Verwoerd was a staunch white supremist, a Nazi sympathizer, an avowed anti-Semite, and a leading architect of sympathizer, an avowed anti-Semite, and a leading architect of apartheid… Fanon, in contrast, was a relentless champion of apartheid… Fanon, in contrast, was a relentless champion of

social justice, who, when barely 17… volunteered for the forces social justice, who, when barely 17… volunteered for the forces attempting the liberation of France from Nazi occupation” attempting the liberation of France from Nazi occupation”

Bulhan (1985, p.3)Bulhan (1985, p.3)

Hook, D. (Ed). (2004). Hook, D. (Ed). (2004). Introduction to critical psychologyIntroduction to critical psychology. Cape Town: UCT . Cape Town: UCT PressPress

• Helping is political in itself – as an oppressive instrument or as a Helping is political in itself – as an oppressive instrument or as a means of progressive politicsmeans of progressive politics

• Power relations include relations of control, authority and Power relations include relations of control, authority and subordinationsubordination

• Helping (psychology, social work) is always powerful, always Helping (psychology, social work) is always powerful, always leads to relationships of powerleads to relationships of power

• Knowledge, expertise, practice always includes some form of Knowledge, expertise, practice always includes some form of power relationshippower relationship

Critical theory: “Truth as unmasking” Critical theory: “Truth as unmasking”

• 11970/80’s - critical theory ‘driving force’ behind new forms of 970/80’s - critical theory ‘driving force’ behind new forms of marxism, feminism and black consciousness marxism, feminism and black consciousness • influenced by society and context - far more than we realiseinfluenced by society and context - far more than we realise• structure of thinking processes are a result of social forcesstructure of thinking processes are a result of social forces• transformation through transformation through praxis praxis - critically reflecting on society, - critically reflecting on society, uncover hidden assumptions that maintain existing power uncover hidden assumptions that maintain existing power relationshipsrelationships• discover what enslaves peoplediscover what enslaves people• begin to alter social reality by how we participate in itbegin to alter social reality by how we participate in it• liberated from oppression once conscious of how oppression liberated from oppression once conscious of how oppression operates (critical consciousness)operates (critical consciousness)• critical theory and practice developed by Freire (1921-94) critical theory and practice developed by Freire (1921-94)

(Higgs and Smith, 2002)(Higgs and Smith, 2002)

FOUR SUPPOSITIONS OF THE CRITICAL SOCIAL SCIENCEFOUR SUPPOSITIONS OF THE CRITICAL SOCIAL SCIENCEPARADIGM:PARADIGM:

Macro-social structures shape social relations at every level of lifeMacro-social structures shape social relations at every level of life

The world is divided between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ and the The world is divided between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ and the interests of these groups are opposed and irreconcilableinterests of these groups are opposed and irreconcilable

The oppressed are complicit in their oppressionThe oppressed are complicit in their oppression

Its emphasis is on empowering oppressed people to act, Its emphasis is on empowering oppressed people to act, collectively, to achieve social changecollectively, to achieve social change

CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIAL WORK THEORYCONSTRUCTION OF SOCIAL WORK THEORY (Payne, 2005:3 –23)(Payne, 2005:3 –23)

• SW practice is a process of deciding action SW practice is a process of deciding action from variety of alternative positionsfrom variety of alternative positions• SW’s need to have ideas that try to explain why SW’s need to have ideas that try to explain why and how practice decisions are madeand how practice decisions are made• disagreement about what social work is, and disagreement about what social work is, and different groups argue for and against different different groups argue for and against different viewsviews

Reflexive-therapeutic viewReflexive-therapeutic view(therapeutic helping)(therapeutic helping)

Individualist-reformist Individualist-reformist Socialist-collectivistSocialist-collectivist(maintenance or social order) (emancipatory/transformational)(maintenance or social order) (emancipatory/transformational)

Critical Social Work Critical Social Work (Ferguson, 2008:102-110)(Ferguson, 2008:102-110)

Critical social work includes: Marxist social work; radical Critical social work includes: Marxist social work; radical social work; structural social work; feminist social work; social work; structural social work; feminist social work; anti-racist social work; and anti-oppressive and anti-anti-racist social work; and anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory social work (Healy, 2005:173)discriminatory social work (Healy, 2005:173)

Critical social work is: “concerned with the analysis and Critical social work is: “concerned with the analysis and transformation of power relations at every level of social transformation of power relations at every level of social work practice (Healy, 2002:172)work practice (Healy, 2002:172)

However, some argue that critical SW should include However, some argue that critical SW should include postmodern and post-structural aspects (Fook, 2002), postmodern and post-structural aspects (Fook, 2002), while Ferguson argues that it need not and raises while Ferguson argues that it need not and raises objections to postmodernismobjections to postmodernism

OPPRESSIONOPPRESSION

Earlier radical SW of the 70’s failed to engage in issues of Earlier radical SW of the 70’s failed to engage in issues of oppressionoppression

In 1980’s greater attention to other forms of oppression and a In 1980’s greater attention to other forms of oppression and a ‘retreat from class’‘retreat from class’

Feminism grew to be dominantFeminism grew to be dominantEarly 90’s – break from pathologising perspectivesEarly 90’s – break from pathologising perspectivesHowever, politics of identity led to fragmentation, promoted by However, politics of identity led to fragmentation, promoted by

neo-liberal policiesneo-liberal policiesAlthough oppression intersects and there is no hierarchy of Although oppression intersects and there is no hierarchy of

oppressions, oppression should not be ‘cut loose from its oppressions, oppression should not be ‘cut loose from its roots in capitalism’ (Ferguson, 2008:107)roots in capitalism’ (Ferguson, 2008:107)

Issues of identity have led to a devaluing of issues of poverty Issues of identity have led to a devaluing of issues of poverty and inequality – need for a return to ‘politics of redistribution’and inequality – need for a return to ‘politics of redistribution’

Although this approach emphasised commonality and formed aAlthough this approach emphasised commonality and formed abasis for collective action, the politics of identity led to basis for collective action, the politics of identity led to fragmentation, which mirrored fragmentation promoted by neo-fragmentation, which mirrored fragmentation promoted by neo-liberal policies (see Mullaly, 1997, who analysed oppression in liberal policies (see Mullaly, 1997, who analysed oppression in terms of identity): terms of identity):

““women are oppressed (by men) as women. Men are not women are oppressed (by men) as women. Men are not Oppressed as men. Non-whites are oppressed as non-whites. Oppressed as men. Non-whites are oppressed as non-whites. Whites are not oppressed as whites. Gay and lesbian persons Whites are not oppressed as whites. Gay and lesbian persons are oppressed (by heterosexuals) as gay and lesbian persons. are oppressed (by heterosexuals) as gay and lesbian persons. Heterosexuals are not oppressed as heterosexuals” and then:Heterosexuals are not oppressed as heterosexuals” and then:

““Given that oppression is perpetrated by dominant groups and Given that oppression is perpetrated by dominant groups and is systematic and continuous … why does it occur? The simple is systematic and continuous … why does it occur? The simple answer is that oppression occurs because it benefits the answer is that oppression occurs because it benefits the dominant group “ (Mullaly, 1997, in Ferguson, 2008:106)dominant group “ (Mullaly, 1997, in Ferguson, 2008:106)

• Ferguson offers three critiques of the politics of identity as an Ferguson offers three critiques of the politics of identity as an analysis of oppression:analysis of oppression:

……This approach neglects to describe the role of the This approach neglects to describe the role of the state in oppression, but sees it as individuals or groups of state in oppression, but sees it as individuals or groups of individuals who oppress othersindividuals who oppress others

……Collective action is ruled out because most people Collective action is ruled out because most people are implicated in some form of oppression, and only a narrow are implicated in some form of oppression, and only a narrow form of pressure group politics would remainform of pressure group politics would remain

……There is no basis for distinguishing between There is no basis for distinguishing between different forms of oppression – there is no ‘hierarchy of different forms of oppression – there is no ‘hierarchy of oppressions’oppressions’

• Although oppression intersects and there is no hierarchy of Although oppression intersects and there is no hierarchy of oppressions, oppression should not be ‘cut loose from its oppressions, oppression should not be ‘cut loose from its roots in capitalism’ (Ferguson, 2008:107) – this trivialises roots in capitalism’ (Ferguson, 2008:107) – this trivialises genuine human suffering – by ‘lumping’ it together with all in genuine human suffering – by ‘lumping’ it together with all in society who call themselves oppressed – such as middle society who call themselves oppressed – such as middle class consumers whose complaints may be valid class consumers whose complaints may be valid

• There was a retreat from class analysis and class politicsThere was a retreat from class analysis and class politics

• Emphasis on identity has led to devaluing of issues of poverty Emphasis on identity has led to devaluing of issues of poverty and inequality - need for a return to ‘politics of redistribution’and inequality - need for a return to ‘politics of redistribution’

• Many adherents of critical SW tried to overcome this Many adherents of critical SW tried to overcome this fragmentation and tried to make the links between oppression fragmentation and tried to make the links between oppression and material inequalityand material inequality

CULTURAL HEGEMONY IN SOCIAL WORKCULTURAL HEGEMONY IN SOCIAL WORK(Askeland and Payne, 2006)(Askeland and Payne, 2006)

• Globalisation and homogenisationGlobalisation and homogenisation• Colonialsim and post-colonialismColonialsim and post-colonialism• Economic oppressionEconomic oppression• CultureCulture• LanguageLanguage• Social Work education hegemonySocial Work education hegemony• SW education’s responseSW education’s response

POST AND ANTICOLONIAL THOUGHTPOST AND ANTICOLONIAL THOUGHT

• the the Post-colonialPost-colonial misunderstood as chronological period after misunderstood as chronological period after end of colonial rule – rather, form of analysis exposing end of colonial rule – rather, form of analysis exposing violence of colonialism; gulf between European moral violence of colonialism; gulf between European moral philosophy and political practices (Mbembe, 2008)philosophy and political practices (Mbembe, 2008)

• critical perspective – relationship of domination/resistance critical perspective – relationship of domination/resistance that manifest when one culture ‘owns’ or controls another that manifest when one culture ‘owns’ or controls another culture, even after the era of formalised colonisation has culture, even after the era of formalised colonisation has ended (Van Zyl, 1998)ended (Van Zyl, 1998)

• racialisation of colonised subject guided by “I alone possess racialisation of colonised subject guided by “I alone possess value. But I can only be of value, as myself, if others, as value. But I can only be of value, as myself, if others, as themselves, are without value.” (Mbembe, 2008)themselves, are without value.” (Mbembe, 2008)

• racism, denigration of indigenous ways, paternalism - racism, denigration of indigenous ways, paternalism - Colonialism imposed enormous social changes on Colonialism imposed enormous social changes on traditional societies, no responsibility for social costs traditional societies, no responsibility for social costs of social disruption (Patel, 2005:67). of social disruption (Patel, 2005:67).

• praxis of anticolonialism arises from postcolonial praxis of anticolonialism arises from postcolonial thinking – identify, resist all forms of domination and thinking – identify, resist all forms of domination and oppression (Dei, 2006:5) oppression (Dei, 2006:5)

• we must understand the reproduction of dominance we must understand the reproduction of dominance and subjugation of disempowered (Dei, 2006)and subjugation of disempowered (Dei, 2006)

NEOLIBERALISM

• “Re-named as ‘Neoliberalism’, the historic crime in the concentration of privileges, wealth and impunities, democratizes misery and hopelessness.” (Subcommandante Marcos, 1996)

• belief that free, unregulated market answer to global economic problems

• indefensible system of inequality and injustice, widely criticized (Sewpaul, 2006; Sewpaul and Holscher, 2004; Fairclough, 2000; Ferguson, 2008)

• ten principles (Washington consensus, 1989) of market fundamentalism; fiscal policy discipline; cutbacks in state expenditure; trade liberalization; privatization of state enterprises; security of private property rights - IMF, world bank and US treasury (Sewpaul, 2006; Terreblanche, 2002)

• subtle continuation of historical colonialism and strong, hidden racist and ethnocentric undercurrent, demonstrated by global resource consumption and wealth distribution (Pollack and Chadha, 2004:4)

• SW practices at risk of supporting oppressive nature of this system if not critical and radical in its resistance

Aime CesaireAime Cesaire1913 - 20081913 - 2008

Aime Cesaire

• Born in French Martinique, poet, anti- colonialist, founder of “negritude” movement

• Discourse on colonialism (first published 1955)

key text in anti-colonial literature describes the material and spiritual havoc caused by

colonialism

• Works with three propositions:

Negritude “resistance to the politics of assimilation” and “a struggle against alienation” (interview with Cesaire, 1967); celebration of black culture and forms of expression

Surrealism “ a permanent readiness for the marvelous”Extension/revision of Marxism complete

and total overthrow of racist, colonialist system that would open the way to imagine a whole new world (Kelly, 1999)

• Describes process of “Thingification”the deliberate destruction of the past of the colonised and

turning “the other” into a barbarian

Paulo FreirePaulo Freire1921 - 19971921 - 1997

• Paulo Freire born 1921 Recife in Brazil; Paulo Freire born 1921 Recife in Brazil; theorist liberatory education; socialist theorist liberatory education; socialist

• Pedagogy of the oppressed Pedagogy of the oppressed radical transformation and humanisationradical transformation and humanisationno education is neutral; either liberating or domesticatingno education is neutral; either liberating or domesticating

• Critical conscientisationCritical conscientisation

ongoing process of moving toward critical consciousnessongoing process of moving toward critical consciousnessheart of liberatory education heart of liberatory education awareness of oppression, being "object" in world where only awareness of oppression, being "object" in world where only "subjects" have power "subjects" have power identifying contradictions in experience through dialogue identifying contradictions in experience through dialogue

• PraxisPraxisreflection upon and action on the world to transform itreflection upon and action on the world to transform it

• TransformationTransformationnegates ethics of neoliberalism and economic globalization – negates ethics of neoliberalism and economic globalization – critical, liberating, hopeful theory - utopia of a more just and critical, liberating, hopeful theory - utopia of a more just and human society (Nita Freire, 2007)human society (Nita Freire, 2007)

Paulo Freire

Franz FanonFranz Fanon1925-19611925-1961

Franz Fanon

• Born Martinique, psychiatrist, revolutionary; liberation of Algeria from France

• Black skins white masks (1952); Wretched of the earth (1961)

key text in post-colonial theory and criticism brings psychology and politics together

• Racist objectification race essential determining quality

• Colonising the mindcultural values not one’s own; hostile; consistently “de-value me and my culture”

• Cultural dissonancedissonance between ego and culture, self and society

• Internalisationexternal socio-historical reality assimilated into subjective realityintrapsychic violence

Steve BikoSteve Biko1946-19771946-1977

Steve Biko

• Born Kingwilliamstown; Anti-apartheid activist; founder blackconsciousness movement; political leader

• Black consciousness replace negative self-image with affirming positive identitysolidarity – to operate as a group to rid themselves of

shackles bind to perpetual servitude

• Liberation politicsPsychological and physical liberation

“the most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed”Importance of destruction of subjective black oppression

• Conscientisationstrategy of resistance to develop heightened awareness of

oppressive conditions profound cultural awareness of damage caused by colonial

project

“Nothing in my view is more reprehensible than those habits of mind in the intellectual that induce avoidance, that characteristic turning away from a difficult of principled position which you know to be the right one, but which you decide not to take.” (Said, 1994:74)