Position paper: Universal psychology under threat? A reflection on how systems changes are impacting on communities, services and applied psychology

Abstract

This is a polemical paper rather than a ‘scientific’ paper. It focusses on how systemic changes to public services are impacting on children, families and communities. It is argued that the implementation of neoliberal ideology is rolling back the welfare state, undermining the social justice principles on which it was founded, having profound effects on the fabric of society and potentially making public services less effective in meeting the needs of vulnerable people. Psychologists have skills in working systemically and with individuals to alleviate suffering and improve life chances. It is argued that current policy of shrinking the welfare state and privatising public services is creating conditions which will increase social exclusion and have detrimental impacts on the health and well-being of many people. Economic and political policy has not been the usual territory of psychologists and there may be nervousness about straying out of our ‘neutral’ positions. However, it is proposed that psychology, in fostering universal psychology initiatives for the benefit of all, cannot afford to be apolitical as the values underlying our work are now under attack. It is suggested that we now need to act as a profession to challenge social injustice and lobby for social change. It is possible to do this without aligning to one political party, but from a values-based position. However, it is acknowledged that this is a complex position to maintain, given that some political movements are more aligned to neoliberal ideology than others.