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Systems Theory in contrast of Social Work

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Name of InstitutionSystems Theory in contrast of Social Work

During the past 20 years, some of the most advanced welfare states of the world have adapted a social policy disclosure that talks about the positive welfare policy mix, with the help of increased public private cooperation, in providing welfare to the people of the state. The idea is that various types of organization have various advantages and benefits that enhance the welfare needs of the people (Villadsen, 2008). Most importantly, the voluntary welfare organizations have played an important role in providing welfare to the people, and are now seen by many as the new care providers to the people. Most of the welfare states are undergoing this change, where the state being the only welfare provider is being superseded by this new concept of 'welfare mix' or 'welfare pluralism'. The introduction of systems theory within social work started in 1960s and was merged with ecological approach in 1980s. Although, the promises that these approaches make, made their application and their coverage by various schools of social work have been shallow. The chaos theory and the complexity theory have further strengthened the general systems theory, and have provided much needed support to the practice and research needs of social work, which has not only increased the number of organizations working for the welfare of the people in the developed country along with developing countries, but also increased the quality of the service provided to the people in both the developed and the developing world.

The Systems Theory was first presented by Ludwig von Bertalanffy during the earlier part of the 20th century. However, it was after World War II that his publications regarding the general systems theory started appearing on this subject. The theory links all the sciences, both natural and social, and started looking at the world as an organization. At first the concept was neglected and ridiculed by the people. Although, it came out of organism biology; however, after the inception of cybernetics and information systems, it grew in popularity, and branched out in various fields of social sciences and humanities. It soon gained recognition as a foundation for the study of human behavior, social work, mental health, and political sciences (Hudson, 2000).

There are great implications for system theory to be used within the social work perspective as well, due to the nature of the theory. However, the most important representatives of the sociological systems theory apply Talcott Parsons theory of action systems theory, and Niklas Lehmann communication theory system theory. The sociological concept of a system goes on Talcott Parsons back. Parsons considered it acts as a constitutive element of social systems. He coined the concept of structural-functional systems theory. Lehman distinguishes three specific types of social systems: interaction systems, organizational systems and social systems. The society is a system of higher order, a system of other type. It includes the other systems without having to go up in it. Lehman describes his ...