Communicative Legitimacy

This book analyses the legitimacy deficits in democratic welfare work using Habermas’ theories of communicative action, law and  morality. Based on their underlying intersubjective perspectives, legitimacy problems can be identified and corrected, e.g. lack of confidence, dignity, respect, broken expectations, ignorance or mistrust of its administration. In modern societies with their many different contexts, a mutual understanding of facts, norms and expressions has become even more important in order to act constructively in daily life. These needs have increased the tension between the individual and the system, which becomes especially evident when globalised and individualised service users ask for welfare services. Therefore, professionals must develop an ability to understand how these legitimacy problems arise and how they can be dealt with democratically. This book responds to these needs, and will be of interest to students, scholars and practitioners working across democratic welfare, social policy, social work, and sociology.

Anita Kihlström, now retired, was a Social Worker and Associate Professor at the Department of Social Work, Gothenburg, Sweden.