Why Social Workers Must Engage Politically

The profession of Social Work is built on the principles of social justice, equity, and the inherent dignity of all people. Yet, today, we find ourselves at a dangerous crossroads where political disengagement is no longer an option. Across the nation, efforts to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, enforce rigid merit-based systems that ignore systemic inequities, and defund essential government programs for disadvantaged populationsthreaten the very foundation of our work.

These actions are not isolated—they are part of a coordinated strategy to erode protections for the most vulnerable, using historically fascist tactics to divide the nation and justify exclusion under the guise of fairness and tradition.

Ethical Obligation Under the NASW Code of Ethics

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics is clear: social workers have a duty not only to serve individuals but also to engage in social and political action to challenge oppression and inequity.

Key ethical principles compel us to take action:

1. Social Justice (Ethical Principle #2):“Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation in decision making for all people.”

   • DEI efforts, equitable public policy, and government funding for social services directly align with this principle. The dismantling of these protections is an attack on social justice itself.

2. Dignity and Worth of the Person (Ethical Principle #3):“Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity.”

   • Policies that erase DEI and prioritize rigid, exclusionary "merit" standards ignore the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities and fail to acknowledge systemic disparities.

3. The Importance of Human Relationships (Ethical Principle #4):“Social workers seek to strengthen relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals and communities.”

   • The rise of political bad actors who stoke division through race, gender, and class-based rhetoric is a direct violation of this ethical principle. Instead of fostering unity, these forces promote scapegoating and societal fractures—tactics that have historically fueled fascist movements.

4. Integrity and Competence (Ethical Principles #5 and #6):

   • "Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner. Social workers are continually aware of the profession’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner consistent with them. Social workers should take measures to care for themselves professionally and personally. Social workers act honestly and responsibly and promote ethical practices on the part of the organizations with which they are affiliated."

   • "Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise. Social workers continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in practice. Social workers should aspire to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession."

   • As professionals, social workers must ensure truth, fairness, and ethical decision-making guide public discourse. This includes rejecting false narratives that ignore systemic inequalities and advocating for policies that uplift rather than exclude.

     
     

The Reality We Face

• The Attack on DEI: Efforts to eliminate DEI policies are framed as a return to "neutrality," but they strip away the very safeguards that ensure equal access to education, jobs, and public services. These policies are essential to addressing historical and systemic discrimination.

• The Weaponization of Merit: By promoting “merit” as an absolute standard without acknowledging systemic disadvantages, political actors justify exclusionary practices that reinforce privilege rather than creating true equality of opportunity.

• Defunding Social Programs: Attacks on government assistance programs, public health initiatives, and educational support disproportionately harm low-income families, people with disabilities, and marginalized communities—the very populations social workers are committed to serving.

• Fascist Parallels: Historically, fascist movements have sought to divide societies by targeting marginalized groups, restricting civil rights, and concentrating power in the hands of a privileged few. Today, we see similar tactics being deployed—attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, reproductive autonomy, and public education are not separate battles but part of a larger movement to entrench inequality and authoritarian control.

Why Social Workers Must Act

The collaborative ethics and responsibilities as social workers demand that not only advocate for individuals but also engage in systemic change to challenge oppression in all its forms. Silence and neutrality are not options in the face of rising injustice. Political engagement—whether through voting, policy advocacy, community organizing, or speaking out against harmful legislation—is not just activism, it is a professional duty.

History has shown that oppressive movements thrive when those dedicated to justice fail to act. We must not allow our profession to be neutralized by fear or complacency. Our work is political by nature because injustice is political in nature. The question is not whether we should engage, but whether we can afford not to.

Many people fear that social work’s commitment to collaborative efforts in democracy resembles socialist or communist ideologies. However, these concepts are fundamentally different in both purpose and function. Social work, as practiced within a democracy, focuses on advocating for justice, ensuring equitable access to resources, and empowering individuals to participate in their communities. In contrast, socialism and communism involve state-controlled economic systems that prioritize collective ownership of resources.

Social Work within a democratic system is based on principles of equity, justice, and individual empowerment while respecting personal freedoms and market-driven economies.

• Collaborative efforts in social work function within democracy by addressing systemic barriers, advocating for public policies that protect vulnerable populations, and ensuring that social programs help people participate fully in society.

• These efforts are not about government control of industries or wealth redistribution but rather about equipping individuals with tools and opportunities to succeed while ensuring fair treatment.

• Social workers work with both private and public sectors to create support systems for people in need while upholding democratic values such as individual rights, personal responsibility, and community involvement.

Many fear that efforts to expand public welfare programs signal a shift toward socialism or communism, but there are key distinctions:

• Socialism: A system where the government plays a strong role in redistributing wealth, often through high taxation, publicly owned industries, and universal social services. While it may include some democratic structures, it limits free-market dynamics in favor of greater state intervention.

  
  

• Communism: A stateless, classless system where all property and wealth are owned collectively by the people, typically led by a centralized government that dictates economic and social policies. Historically, communist governments have been authoritarian, limiting individual freedoms and personal enterprise.

  
  

Social Work Is About Empowerment, Not Government Control

• Social workers advocate for people to have access to opportunities, not for the government to dictate life choices.

• The goal is to help individuals become self-sufficient, in an equitable fashiion,not to make them dependent on the state.

• Social work expands democracy by ensuring equal participation in society, rather than concentrating power in the government.

• Social work to ensure fair opportunities, remove systemic barriers, and promote civic engagement—all of which align with the values of a thriving democracy.

  
  
  
  

  Rather than a threat, social work upholds democracy by making sure it serves all people, not just those who already hold power and privilege.