The Personal and the Political (RLE Social Theory) - 9781138989641

Taylor & Francis

Are human misery, poverty and despair a result of personal inadequacy or social injustice? Therefore is the solution to these problems psychotherapy or political action? In one of the most important books on social work for a decade, Paul Halmos tries to resolve a dilemma which many social workers experience acutely \u2013 the conflict between a desire to help those in need and a fear that, by doing so, they merely support a political system which should, itself, be changed. Such a dilemma was highlighted during the sixties when 'casework' and personal counselling became discredited by the 'rediscovery' of widespread poverty and inequality in western society. To many the only solution seemed to be urgent and radical political action. For Professor Halmos the realities are more complex \u2013 an exclusive preoccupation with either personal or political solutions is unlikely to prove fruitful \u2013 what is needed is a dual sensitivity and balance. Yet for the author it is the politica.