Towards an agonistic social work: a framework for political action and radical practice

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to envision a way of bringing political dimensions into the mainstream of social work. Departing from a critique of the long-standing inability of conventional social work to address social problems in political terms, the article conceptualises social work as a profoundly political terrain and argues for the need to make space for politics at all levels – from the administrative procedures of statutory social work to advocacy campaigns and community work aimed at political reform. By using the works of Chantal Mouffe, the article brings together radical political theory and the critique of a depoliticised profession to suggest a framework for the politicisation of social work. If social work is to credibly invoke ideals such as social justice and human rights, it must create a space where such aspirations can be politically articulated and claimed as part of an agonistic struggle to radicalise democracy. Given the profoundly political nature of a discipline and profession that deals with human suffering, the article frames social work as an agonistic project with ambitions to take an active part in political conjunctures, as well as in the construction of political visions towards a more just world.