The Ecosocial Transition of Societies

The contribution of social work and social policy

Aila-Leena Matthies, Kati Närhi, Aila-Leena Matthies, Kati Närhi

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2016
• eBook ISBN: 9781317034599
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Social Work
• Index: Social Sciences

This groundbreaking book both explains and expands the growing debate on ecological (environmental) social work at the global level. In order to achieve this, the book strengthens the environmental paradigm in social work and social policy by undertaking further research on theoretical and conceptual clarification as well as distinct reflections on its practical directions.

Divided into five parts: concepts; the impact of environmental crises; sustainable communities and lifestyles; food politics; and the profession in transition, this work's main objective is to place ecological social work as a part of the more comprehensive and interdisciplinary eco-social transition of societies towards sustainability, balancing economic and social development with the limited resources of the natural environment. By focussing on these five core concepts, it shows how social work and social policy contribute to this transition through having a research-based approach and orientation on solutions rather than problem analysis.

The book will be of interest to scholars from a broad range of disciplines, including those in social work and social policy, sustainability, economics, agriculture and environmental studies.

1 Introduction

It is the time for social work and social policy research on the ecosocial transition

Aila-Leena Matthies and Kati Nähri

Context and background of the book

Be it global climate change or the wars rooted in the global oil business, both of which are causing fathomless human suffering and forced migration, the manifold interconnections between environmental crisis, economic cupidity, social catastrophes and cultural losses are becoming increasingly evident to everybody. The economic models aiming at constant economic growth at any price have already crossed over the ecological limits of the Earth, but economic reasoning still dominates public attention and political efforts (Crouch 2012). However, instead of deferring to pessimism and cynics, numerous critical scholars, practitioners and movements around the globe and across different sectors are quite advanced in seeking practical models towards more viable and resilient conditions for the current and next generations. These efforts can be gathered together to form a comprehensive process of transition of societies towards sustainability. The main areas of the transition address new economic and environmental solutions, especially those built on new sources of energy beyond peak oil. What has not yet been comprehensively focused on is the social embeddedness of this transition, which matters more than the conventional understanding of social sustainability. For the context of this book, where we focus on the perspective of social work and social policy, it is important to consider that the paradigmatic change of a society addressed by the transition has direct linkage to social work and social policy. The ecosocial transition of societies brings about the following questions:

• What kind of welfare state, social services and support for the social life of communities are sustainable without the current model of economic growth and environmental hazards?

• What kind of understanding of the role of the social professions can strengthen an ecosocial transition of society?

• Without these practical reflections, the balance between the three dimensions of economy, ecology and social development, well-known as a concept of sustainability, seems to remain only as a theoretical concept.

Over the past few years, the debate on sustainable development, ecosocial, ecological, green or environmental social work has grown into one of the most dynamic global topics of the discipline and profession. However, the discussion about the connection between environmental issues and social work is not new as it has been written about in publications since the 1980s (Schwendter 1981, Opielka 1985, Mühlum 1986, Blanke and Sachsse 1987, Matthies 1987, Naess 1989, Närhi and Matthies 2001). Some authors even discuss the first ecological thoughts of social work pioneers such as Jane Addams from more than a hundred years ago (Staub-Bernasconi 1989, Dominelli 2012, Närhi and Matthies 2016). What is relatively new, though, is the globalization of the ecosocial debate in social work as it previously used to be separated geographically and in terms of language, due to using diverse concepts. We are now witnessing a noticeable movement towards a shared theoretical and operational discussion about the ecological or ecosocial approach in social work at the global level of the social work community. Environmental issues have held a prominent position at several international conferences, which has produced a new global networking of scholars and practitioners engaged in environmental social work. The same dynamic movement is also visible in a range of publications. Two journals – Critical Social Work and the Journal of International Welfare – published special issues on environmental social work in 2012. During the same year, Lena Dominelli published a book called Green Social Work (Dominelli 2012), which focuses on environmental disaster, pollution and conflicts, along with human rights, poverty and inequality and develops guidelines for social work practitioners to intervene in environmental crises. In the same year also an edited book called Environmental Social Work (Gray et al. 2012) was published, which gathers together authors from different continents. The book explores the conceptual perspectives on environmental social work and uses case studies to illustrate practices. One of the books based on the conference papers of the International Conference of Social Work in Stockholm in 2012 focuses on environmental change and sustainable social development (Hessle 2014). A new text book edited by Margaret Alston and Jennifer McKinnon – with contributions from international authors – was published in 2016.

However, what still needs to be strengthened, besides the valuable practice-oriented and programmatic efforts, is the research of ecosocial transition from the perspective of social work and social policy. At the international conferences of social work in Stockholm 2012 and in Melbourne 2014 online-based networking was established with those social work scholars and practitioners interested in the environmental paradigm in social work. Through these networks it was possible for us to identify colleagues worldwide who are involved in related research and to invite twenty of them to the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, to a symposium and workshop to work on the topic and on this volume. We have collected together selected research scholars who are interested in sharing and contributing knowledge about the role of social work and social policy in the ecosocial transition of societies in interdisciplinary collaboration. The circle of authors consists of international authors, with a European focus, who are doing research on this topic. Both of the editors are nationally and internationally involved figures in the ecosocial approach in social work (Närhi and Matthies 2001, 2016, Matthies et al. 2001, 2011, Matthies and Närhi 1998, 2014, Närhi 2004). In the meantime, the Academy of Finland decided to fund a four-year research project called ‘The Contribution of Social Work and Systems of Income Security to the Ecosocial Transformation of Society’, which is also essentially based on international collaboration on the topic.

The aim of this book is to carry on the development of the existing debates and to strengthen the environmental paradigm in social work research. In contrast to the previous publications, our book emphasizes the research around this paradigm. This is achieved through further research on theoretical and conceptual clarification as well as through distinct reflection on its various practical directions. And although we claim that this strengthens the research base of the ecosocial transition of social work and social policy, this is not beneficial only for the academic. In fact, we regard, that especially in such applied scientific areas as social work and social policy, it is the role of research to provide research-based knowledge and tools for critical reflection for the practitioners, NGOs, activists and educators as well.

The second special aim of this book is to bring together social work and social policy knowledge regarding the perspective of the ecosocial transition of societies. While on the one hand there is a need to develop further social work’s own environmental paradigm theoretically and conceptually, as well as its research-based knowledge, it is important to realize how it contributes to the overall joint efforts of various other sciences, agencies and movements that are trying to solve the core future challenges of the Earth. On the other hand, it is not only social sciences like social work and social policy which need to be aware of their own role in the interdisciplinary efforts of transition. This volume may for its part also inform other scientific areas like economics and environmental sciences about the question of why social work and social policy may be relevant for promoting transition towards sustainability.

In addition, the chapters will focus on the research of solutions to ecological, social or economic challenges of ecosocial transition rather than on the analysis of the problems. In the context of ecosocial transition the basic assumption is that a change, a transition towards an ecologically and socially balanced society at the global and local level, is indispensable and urgent. The transition debates highlight that the dominance of the current economic system does not only cause environmental damage and the destruction of natural resources but also increases social inequality. The core of the ecosocial transition is based on economic de-and post-growth models of society. These are discussed in several chapters of this book from the perspective of social work and social policy. The global ecocritical discussion of social work argues that the sustainable development of society means, among other things, a substantial reduction in the consumption of natural resources, the equitable distribution of wealth as well as a new vision of humanity and the planet’s wellbeing. This will require ecosocial transition in all areas of societies: in its ecological, technological, economic, social, political as well as structural and institutional dimensions.

Social work and social policy are especially challenged to provide knowledge on how to move towards social sustainability and resilience in the process of ecosocial transition. For instance, issues of food, land ownership and climate change are highly related to social work and social policy and not only to poverty and inequality. As discussed in the chapter by Tuula Helne and Tuuli Hirvilammi, the question arises of how to establish a new understanding of wellbeing that is both affordable ecologically and economically, yet still socially just.

Consequently, the debate on ecological social work contests not only the current economic model of developed societies but also reflects critically on social work’s current institutional and professional models, which are dependent on the problematic economic model of societies. Therefore, the core of the ecosocial transition is based on new economic alternatives of society, including the idea of the commons and community economy, as discussed by Susanne Elsen and Jef Peeters in this book.

One of the central theses in the ecosocial paradigm is that an environmental crisis is a social crisis, as it increases social inequality and causes the highest level of problems for the most vulnerable citizens in societies (Opielka 1985, Elsen 2011, Dominelli 2012, Gray et al. 2012, Närhi and Matthies 2001, Matthies and Närhi 2014). Although the profession is becoming increasingly aware of ecological issues, there is limited attention given to ‘how to’ incorporate this awareness into practice (McKinnon 2008). Several chapters of this book present and analyze such practical developments. On the one hand, ecosocial transition is theoretically rooted in the traditions of critical theory and challenges the belief in technological–economic rationality, which is seen to colonialize the natural resources of the human living world (Lebenswelt by Jürgen Habermas). On the other hand, the ecosocial paradigm is linked to systems-theoretical holistic modelling of interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral relationships (Peeters 2012, Wendt 2010, Närhi and Matthies 2001). As Saywer (2008: 1751) states, the ecosocial criteria of development aim at protecting the discrimination of poor communities in environmental interventions. Crucial to sustainability is the opportunity for the most marginalized people to participate fully in all activities and decision-making and to receive the benefits of this participation (also resilience, Walker et al. 2004, Peeters 2012, Estes 1993: 3). Sustainable growth is understood as an equitable downscaling of production and consumption that increases human wellbeing and enhances ecological conditions at the local and global level, both in the short-term and long-term. The paradigmatic propositions of de-growth are that the currently dominating understanding of economic growth is not sustainable and that human progress without it is possible (Nussbaum 2011, Crouch 2012, Schneider et al. 2010, Jackson 2009).

In this book our main objective is to constitute social work and social policy as a part of the more comprehensive and interdisciplinary debate on the ecosocial transition of societies towards sustainability by balancing economic and social development with the limited resources of the natural environment. The book discusses how social work and social policy contribute to this transition. By focusing on different aspects, all chapters share a clear perspective of social work and social policy and a research-based approach in their analysis and argumentation.

Content of the book

Besides the introduction and conclusion chapters, the book consists of five parts that provide research-based knowledge and regard the contribution of social work and social policy from multiple viewpoints. After the introduction, the core concepts of ecosocial transition in the frame of social work and social policy will be discussed in Part I. Part II presents examples of empirical studies on how environmental challenges are tackled as social work or social political interventions. In Part III, the efforts of ecosocial transition are analyzed in urban and rural communities and lifestyles that are aiming at practical sustainability. Part IV addresses social political and social work-related research on food politics from various perspectives. In Part V, change to the profession of social work as a reflection on the required paradigmatic shift and ecosocial transition is discussed. Finally, there is a concluding chapter by the editors.

Concepts

Discussion about ecosocial transition and related concepts still holds a novelty position in the disciplines of social work and social policy in most countries. Correspondingly, most of the interdisciplinary scholars involved in research and practice of transition towards sustainability may not have thought about their research topic in relation to the issues relevant in social work and social policy, like poverty or human relationships. Therefore, Part I establishes a basic conceptual frame for the entire book with four essential concepts: ecosocial transition, a new concept of wellbeing, the commons and the community economy. In doing so the chapters in the first part also introduce the debate about de-growth from several points of view of social work and social policy.

Aila-Leena Matthies introduces and defines the concept of ecosocial transition and related concepts as well in order to map out the interdisciplinary field to which social work and social policy may contribute. She presents the concept’s genealogic and scientific background through a comparison of the concepts of The Great Transformation (Polanyi 1944) of industrial economy and the current post-growth and post-peak oil transition. Then she explains the emerging forms of how transition appears: as scientific efforts and transformative research, as political structures and interventions and as increasing actions of social movements and civil society. The author critically analyzes how the social dimensions of the ecosocial transition are as yet understood quite narrowly.

Continuing the conceptual frame for sustainable social policy and social work, Tuula Helne and Tuuli Hirvilammi introduce a new concept of relational wellbeing. It is based on the criticism of the fact that the prevailing wellbeing with material wealth has had ecological consequences that threaten human wellbeing and survival. They argue that maintaining the status quo and holding on to the current conception of wellbeing are not an option if sustainability is to be achieved. Instead, a sounder understanding of wellbeing is needed for ecosocial transition. It involves setting limits on wealth and unsustainable consumption and shifts the focus away from mere Having towards placing value on Loving, Being and responsible and meaningful Doing. The model is founded on a conception of the human being as connected to its social and natural environment and is thus a self-evident agent of the ecosocial work that the sustainability transition requires. Moreover, the conceptualization of relational wellbeing highlights ties to other people and the dependence of the individual’s wellbeing on the community he or she lives in.

Although the theories of ecosocial transition concern global and national development, most of their practical implementations are specifically local. There are already concrete scenarios and practised models of ecosocial transition built by local communities, a new type of self-sufficiency and social justice as well as economic and ecological sustainability in urban and rural communities. Projects include, for example, solidarity economy models such as cooperatives, micro-credits and local currency. To analyze these, Susanne Elsen introduces the concept of community-based economy. The author analyzes the historical development and over-historical principles of community-based economy. Finally she presents new cooperatives, urban agriculture and community-supported agriculture as case studies of community economy, claiming more social justice and responsibility for communities. She concludes that community-economy models appear due to a lack of other means of securing one’s livelihood or as an explicit and reflected ecosocial concept to infringements through the globalized market economy.

Jef Peeters conc...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• List of figures
• List of tables
• List of contributors
• 1 Introduction: It is the time for social work and social policy research on the ecosocial transition
• PART I Concepts
• PART II Tackling challenges and complexities
• PART III Sustainable communities and lifestyles
• PART IV Food politics
• PART V Profession in change
• Index