Please use the PowerPoints and the articles listed below to complete both discussions. Each discussion response should be at least 2 paragraphs. Please place all references used for each discussion under each response.
Articles
- Grassroots Policy Project. (2004). Power and organizing. Washington, D.C.: Author. ** Please read the entire article. This reading is best viewed when using Chrome.**
- Jansson, B. (2003). Committing to an Issue: Building Agendas. In Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate: From Policy Practice to Social Justice. 4th Ed. Pacific Cove, CA: Brooks/Cole
- Kingdon, J. (1995). Wrapping things up. In Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policy. NY: Addams and Wesley Publishers.
- Larson, G. (2008). Anti-oppressive practice in mental health. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 19 (1), 39-54.
- Morris, P. M. (2002). The capabilities perspective: A framework for social justice. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 83 (4), 365-373.
- Polack, R. J. (2004). Social justice and the global economy: New challenges for social work in the 21st century. Social Work, 49 (2), 281-290.
Media
- PowerPoint – Cultural Competence Social Justice and Change
- PowerPoint – Kingdon’s Agenda Setting Model
- PowerPoint – Power
Discussion #1
Explain what the capabilities perspective is as if you were talking to someone who had not read the article.
- What makes this perspective different?
- What do you think about it?
Discussion Post Module
Student name
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Instructor’s name
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Discussion #1
The capabilities perspective is an approach to economic and social justice which was first proposed by an economist called Armartya Sen and was further elaborated by a philosopher called Martha Nussbaum. This perspective focuses on fair distribution of capabilities such that in just societies, governments provide equal opportunity for all people to achieve wellbeing. Wellbeing includes access to liberties and opportunities that provide people with the ability to live dignified lives. This perspective is different from other approaches to economic and social justice since it does not focus on equal distribution of resources and only considers them as a means to an end rather than the end itself (Morris, 2002).
In my opinion, the capabilities perspective is the best approach to social justice since it considers that people have different abilities that affect the way in which they utilize goods and services. A good example is that people living with disabilities cannot fully participate in their communities unless they have access to more resources which improve their capabilities. A just society is only possible if governments find a way to improve individual functioning which in turn translates to wellbeing.
References
Morris, P. M. (2002). The capabilities perspective: A framework for social justice. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 83 (4), 365-373.
Discussion #2
Power means the ability to influence, control, or exert authority over other people (Grassroots Policy Project, 2004). Social workers use the power they hold within the society to advocate for the vulnerable and powerless. They also focus on promoting social justice by building power for communities and population groups which are usually prevented from being involved in making decisions that impact their lives. As per Kingdon (1995), the Kingdon model posits that policy change is only possible if the three streams: problems, policies, and politics align. In the agenda-setting process, problems are often triggered by crises which in turn lead to the generation of policy proposals aimed at solving the problem. Politics include changes in administration, public opinion, and election results that influence policy development and implementation. Jansson (2003) explains that social workers influence agenda setting by ensuring that specific agendas receive serious consideration during policy making.
My area of interest is helping vulnerable and oppressed people within the society to regain their dignity and live good lives. The current policies that influence this area of interest include federal and state programs that focus on food assistance, cash assistance, health insurance, childcare assistance, housing assistance and education. These policies are not sufficient since there are many people who are unable to afford basic needs such as food, housing, or quality education due to factors such as old age, poor health, disabilities, unemployment, or underemployment. As a social worker, my goal is to advocate for such people and help create a society where they can access resources that enhance their wellbeing.
References
Grassroots Policy Project. (2004). Power and organizing. Washington, D.C.: Author.
Jansson, B. (2003). Committing to an Issue: Building Agendas. In Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate: From Policy Practice to Social Justice. 4th Ed. Pacific Cove, CA: Brooks/Cole
Kingdon, J. (1995). Wrapping things up. In Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policy. NY: Addams and Wesley Publishers.