Values based politics and new structural social work : theory for a post-neoliberal age? Initial experience under newly elected progressive government in Aotearoa / New Zealand

Abstract

 Mission of social work to address the connection of personal troubles and public issues (Mills, 1959)

 Includes implementing positive changes in the structures of society to enhance social justice, not simply assisting individuals and families to achieve personal growth and better adaptation to our existing society (Mullaly, 2007)

 Presentation explores a social policy perspective, and social work theory which could provide a theoretical foundation for pursuing this mission:

 Max Harris The New Zealand Project (2017)  Bob Mullaly The New Structural Social Work (2007)

 Located in current political context of Aotearoa New Zealand, with recent election of progressive Government which seems to be starting to move away from the dominance of neoliberalism of recent decades

 May have implications for other parts of the world (hopefully . . . )