Rocking the boat while staying in it: connecting ends and means in radical community work

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:label /> <jats:p>At a time when the term ‘radical’ is predominantly associated with intolerance and violence, this article explicitly interrogates its meaning and application in community development praxis. Based on a qualitative inquiry, influenced by community development principles, community workers with rich experience at both micro- and macro-levels in Ireland were interviewed individually, then collectively to elicit their perspectives on the possibilities and challenges for radical community work in Ireland. While specifically located, its conclusions have relevance for community work and community development globally.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:label /> <jats:p>Findings show that being a professional and a radical are not incompatible. Some radical community workers recognize their dual role in service of the state and their obligation to work with others to change it. Acknowledging that marginalized communities do not have the access to power available to more privileged communities necessitates strategies to maximize influence. At the same time, there is an intimate connection between the methods used to transform society and the nature of the subsequent society. As workers accountable to communities, funders and the profession itself, the strategies engaged with and tactics adopted warrant careful consideration.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:label /> <jats:p>This article seeks to challenge the dichotomy of either conflict or consensus approaches as overly simplistic. Its suggests that some community workers can hold a radical agenda and conflictual ideology while pro-actively engaging with decision-makers who, although part of systems, which perpetuate inequality, can also be agents of change.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

The transformation of European welfare states and its implications for social work (research): staying on the tanker or choosing a small sloop?

“…At first glance, these sloops seem very attractive just because they are more in line with the central values of the profession. Nevertheless, social workers also have a public mandate to make the tanker change course, or to rock the boat while staying in (Mc Ardle, 2020).…”

Case Study in Practice Architecture

“…Collins (1995) presented a sense of the robust role that adult educators can offer as a persuasive moral force rather than as disengaged facilitators who neglect to engage in specific social contexts. Similarly, Ardle (2021) pointed to the radical nature of this work and defined "radical community workers [as] grounded individuals, anchored by a clear analysis and value base and a strong connection to the communities with which they work" (p. 731). Westley (2015) stated that resilient and innovative communities feature ongoing learning among participants.…”

Let's talk about our feelings: Emotional labour of community practice in times of pandemic

“…The literature on community practice in social work settings covers different areas. Studies have examined the history of community practice in different countries (Chen & Ku, 2017; Gutiérrez & Gant, 2018; Sadan, 2019); various theoretical models for community practice (Boehm & Cnaan, 2012; Rothman, 2007; Sawyer & Brady, 2020); the on‐the‐ground experience of differently positioned community social workers (Ardle, 2020; Feldman et al, 2021; Itzhaki‐Braun et al, 2021); their involvement in the social policy arena (Weiss‐Gal & Gal, 2020); and the place of community practice in social work education and how to train students in this field (Liddell & Lass, 2019; Robinson et al, 2020).…”