The professional challenges of reflexive modernization: Social work in Ireland

This article examines the impact of reflexive modernization on social work in Ireland. It examines (i) the role and task of the Irish social worker in a society that has modernized more rapidly than any other in Europe; (ii) the meaning of pluralization, civil society and citizenship in an Irish context; (iii) the possibilities offered by a developmental strategy based upon empowerment, trust and user rights; (iv) the professional competence and training of social workers in an entirely university based system that has adapted itself to European training standards; and (v) the relationship between social work, humanism and citizenship in the Welfare State. While the article focuses on one society, it is intended to be a contribution towards the development of comparartive perspectives in international social work discourse. As such it highlights commonalities as well as differences in a global age and therefore should be of interest to a broad readership.