Empowerment as biopolitical: the case of Roma people in the Czech Republic

Eva Kourova, Prof Stephen Webb

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

    Abstract

    In this chapter, the authors consider the marginal horizons of empowerment on a concrete case of the Roma people in the Czech Republic. The authors draw on critical social work scholarship through which they explore a concrete case of social work intervention, the case of social work intervention that effectively leads to greater disadvantages and racism of the Roma people in the Czech locality. We deploy the concept of "exclusive inclusion" to unpick the neoliberal influences on empowerment via work of Giorgio Agamben and to a lesser degree by Roberto Esposito. With the case of social work engagement with the Roma people in Czech Republic, the authors argue that social work practice as a profession is in serious need of deep critical reflection on existing practice and the so-called progressive values, practices that are also shaped by exclusion, despite them having a veneer of inclusivity and empowerment in the rhetoric.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of International Critical Social Work
    Subtitle of host publicationNew Perspectives and Agendas
    EditorsStephen A. Webb
    Place of PublicationLondon and New York
    Chapter30
    Pages431-446
    Number of pages15
    Edition1st
    ISBN (Electronic)9781003211969
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 11 Nov 2022

    Keywords

    • empowerment
    • biopolitical
    • Roma people
    • Czech Republic
    • social work

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