Racism and the discipline of social policy: a critique of welfare theory

Abstract

Most social policy texts make only marginal, if any, reference to racism in the welfare state, or the experiences and struggles of Black people. Welf are theory likewise has failed to take account of major theoretical work on 'race' and class. Full acknowledgement of these issues is not only essential to any pro gressive welfare strategy but also poses major challenges to existing welfare thinking. These challenges are explored here and a tentative framework of analysis is offered for understanding the historical and contemporary relationship between "race', racism and the welfare state.