Shaw, Julia (2016) Socialism by grace: the new visibility of postsecular social work. Doctoral thesis (PhD), University of Sussex.

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Abstract

In conceptualising the new visibility of postsecular social work this thesis develops alternative perspectives to former secular, liberal and neoliberal hegemonies within the profession. Firstly secularism is considered as compromising deliberative and participatory democracy by inhibiting religious citizenship within the public sphere and in response the new visibility of postsecular social work incorporates the inclusion of religious perspectives into social welfare considerations with particular reference to faith based social action. Secondly liberalism is observed as perpetuating the marginalisation of religion, tolerated merely as a personal lifestyle choice, from public legitimacy and the new visibility of postsecular social work therefore recognises the contribution of public religion to addressing social welfare concerns in challenging this marginalisation. Thirdly neoliberalism is critiqued as an outcome of the marginalisation of religion from the public sphere by both secularism and liberalism and accordingly the new visibility of postsecular social work engages with political economy in the interests of social welfare and social justice. Resultantly the new visibility of postsecular social work affirms faith and reason as integral to public religion which is indicative of a new politics of social work that develops postsecular, post-liberal and postneoliberal perspectives through the reconfiguration of Christian socialism.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Schools and Departments:	School of Education and Social Work > Social Work and Social Care
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion. Mythology. Rationalism > BL0051 Philosophy of religion. Psychology of religion. Religion in relation to other subjects H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV0040 Social service. Social work. Charity organization and practice Including social case work, private and public relief, institutional care, rural social work, work relief
Depositing User:	Library Cataloguing
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2016 14:59
Last Modified:	24 Jun 2016 14:59
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/61707

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