This paper looks critically at a central notion of the Marxist analysis of social policy – the contradictions of welfare. Two main variants of the argument are identified: the ‘paradox’ and ‘opposite effect’ contradictions respectively. Serious doubts are raised about the viability of a Marxist analysis of social policy which relies on the concept of the contradictions of the welfare state.
Social casework is analysed as an interpersonal relationship: dyadic, two‐person social interaction. This approach is seen as necessary to supplement the clinical biases within the social work profession. In particular, an exchange theoretical analysis focused attention on the problematical nature of the formation, establishment and maintenance of the social work relationship. In addition, casework was examined as a basically negotiated interpersonal situation, and this perspective drew attention to the consequences of differential interpersonal power and the processes by which the social worker imposes his definition of the situation on the transaction.
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