Social Policy and Social Dimensions on Vulnerability and Resilience in Europe

At present, there is a supposition in public discussions regarding Europe's social policy that social problems have their causes in the individual, and thus are not a problem of socio-economic inequality. Consequently, there is an increasing policy trend in Europe of self-activation and self-help as substitutes of social work. On the other hand, new types of social vulnerability and challenges for social work and social policy are detected. In this book, these policy views are discussed in their European dimensions. Beginning with the last century, processes of social exclusion are examined as common phenomena of the crisis in Europe's social welfare systems. They have their origins in the radical changes in paid employment, the weakening of family ties, and the increasing incapability of the welfare state to promote social inclusion. As well, new types of social vulnerabilities are emerging. The implementation of indicator-based management systems of social services is attempted, which implies a range of chances and risks in ethical and professional self-image. However, there are self-help movements, social networks, and other social types of resilience, which are often a complement or support to social work. Yet there is a policy to substitute social work by a strategy of self-activation. Both developments are signs of the present and indicators of the future of social work. They show the necessity of clarifying the social and political scopes and prospects of social work in societies at the crossroads of enhancing civility, human development, and social security - or overburdening the vulnerable, who face new dimensions of psychological, ecological, and economic distress. This book brings together several European discussions concerning social work and social politics.