Politics and policy are interrelated

by | Oct 28, 2024 | Politics

 

 

Politics and policy are interrelated, as the ability to effect a broad social change is often through the halls of government. Many key policies you studied in this course and use in practice are the result of a long political journey. Social work and politics may seem to exist in different worlds, but one can inform the other in beneficial ways. In this Discussion, you examine the purpose of social work on the journey from social to change to political change.

• Explain the role social workers can play in the political realm of policy making.
• To what degree does a particular policy approach or approaches align well with social work values and ethics?

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Social Work: Navigating the Path from Social Change to Political Change

Social work and politics, often seen as distinct fields, are inextricably linked in the pursuit of social change. Social workers, deeply rooted in the principles of social justice and human dignity, possess a unique set of skills and experiences that can inform and influence the political process, ultimately shaping policies that address social problems.

The Role of Social Workers in Policy Making:

Social workers can play a crucial role in the political realm of policy making through various avenues:

  • Advocacy and Lobbying: Social workers can advocate for policies that align with their professional values and ethics. They can engage in lobbying efforts, educate policymakers, and mobilize communities to support their cause.

  • Research and Data Collection: Their understanding of social issues and their ability to gather data can provide valuable insights for policymakers. This data can be used to inform policy decisions and demonstrate the effectiveness of specific interventions.

Social Work: Navigating the Path from Social Change to Political Change

Social work and politics, often seen as distinct fields, are inextricably linked in the pursuit of social change. Social workers, deeply rooted in the principles of social justice and human dignity, possess a unique set of skills and experiences that can inform and influence the political process, ultimately shaping policies that address social problems.

The Role of Social Workers in Policy Making:

Social workers can play a crucial role in the political realm of policy making through various avenues:

  • Advocacy and Lobbying: Social workers can advocate for policies that align with their professional values and ethics. They can engage in lobbying efforts, educate policymakers, and mobilize communities to support their cause.

  • Research and Data Collection: Their understanding of social issues and their ability to gather data can provide valuable insights for policymakers. This data can be used to inform policy decisions and demonstrate the effectiveness of specific interventions.

  • Direct Service and Policy Analysis: Social workers working directly with clients gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by marginalized communities. This experience allows them to analyze policies, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and advocate for necessary changes.

  • Community Organizing and Engagement: Social workers can facilitate community engagement and empower marginalized groups to advocate for themselves. This can include organizing grassroots movements, educating communities about policy issues, and facilitating dialogues between community members and policymakers.

  • Expert Testimony: Social workers, with their specialized knowledge and expertise, can provide valuable testimony during legislative hearings, offering evidence-based perspectives on policy proposals.

Alignment of Policy Approaches with Social Work Values:

Social work values, including social justice, human dignity, empowerment, and the importance of the person-in-environment perspective, can inform the selection and evaluation of policy approaches.

  • Social justice: Policies that address systemic inequalities and promote equality are aligned with social work values. For instance, policies that guarantee equal access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities for all citizens would be considered in line with social work ethics.

  • Human dignity: Policies that respect and uphold the inherent worth of all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, resonate with social work values. For example, policies that protect vulnerable populations from discrimination and abuse would align with this principle.

  • Empowerment: Policies that empower individuals and communities to advocate for their own needs and participate in decision-making processes are aligned with social work values. Examples include policies that provide opportunities for community participation in local government or that support community-based organizations in addressing social problems.

  • Person-in-environment: Policies that consider the interplay between individuals and their social, economic, and political environments align with social work values. For example, policies that address poverty, homelessness, or addiction must consider the broader social determinants of these issues and strive to create systemic change.

Conclusion:

The social work profession has a vital role to play in the political arena. Social workers can bridge the gap between social issues and policymaking, advocating for policies that promote social justice, human dignity, and empowerment. By understanding the values and ethics that underpin social work, we can critically evaluate policy approaches and ensure that they align with the goals of creating a more equitable and just society.

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