RENT TEXTBOOKS

Each chapter includes “Conclusion,” “Assignments,” “Suggested Readings,” and “References.”

1. All Social Work Is Political.

2. The Emergence of a Social Work Policy.
The Reform Period.
The New Deal and Beyond.
The War on Poverty.
Social Action Models.
Federalism.
The New Federalism.
The 1990s.
The New Millenium.

3. The Debate.
Some Perspectives.
When Karen Met Harry: Unfaithful Angels... MORE Disputed.

4. Social Work Values versus Politics.
The Professional Code of Ethics.
Primary Principles: Social Justice and Empowerment.
Specialization versus Systemic Solutions.
Self-Determination versus Compromise.
Emotional Neutrality versus Client Self-Interest.
Impartiality versus Partisan Politics.

5. Policy Models for Political Advocacy.
Models Defined.
A Proactive Approach to Policy Development.
Policy Analysis.
Policy Evaluation.

6. The Practitioner's Influence on Policy.
Information Dissemination.
Client Empowerment.
Hatch Act.
The Executive's Role in Influencing Policy.
Influencing Policy: An Illustration.

7. Influence Through Lobbying.
Social Work Skills in the Political Process.
The Political Process.
The Politician.
The Informal Political Process.
Lobbying Groundwork.
Lobbying Methods.
Letter Writing.
Technology.
Telephoning.
Face-to-Face Lobbying.
Testifying.
Lobbying and Nonprofits.

8. Tools to Influence and Organize Others.
Ten Phases of a Social Movement.
Strategy.
Influencing Others.
Coalition Building.
Technology Used to Organize Others.
Gimmicks.
Using the Media.
Examples of Organizing Others.

9. Monitoring the Bureaucracy.
Promulgating the Rules.
Rule Implementation and Agency Compliance.
Social Work Skills.

10. Political Action Committees.
Why Is a PAC Organized?
Process of Selection.
Candidate Endorsements.
Targeting.
Fall Out.
Idealism versus Winning.

11. The Campaign.
Components of the Campaign.
Campaign Management.
Issues.
Technology.
Social Workers and Campaigns.
What to Expect When Volunteering.
How to Volunteer for a Campaign.

12. Social Workers as Politicians.
Respondents' Characteristics.
Deciding to Run.
Building a Constituent Base.
Campaigning.
Realities of Office.
Recommendations.

13. Jump In.
Where to Start.
Just Do It.
Do It Early.
People Influence People.
You Can Make a Difference.
Advocacy Is Not for Wimps.
Speak Out.
Just Say No.

Glossary of Legislative Terms.

Web Sites.

Index.