From Government to Governance: Implications for Social Work Administration

Abstract

The way in which our society governs itself has undergone a quiet revolution over the last two decades. Society is in the midst of a paradigm shift from what is known as a “government” paradigm to what is being called a “governance” paradigm. This article seeks to inform social work administrators about the importance of the shift. First, some background is provided on the “dueling paradigms” of the 1980s and 1990s, from which the governance paradigm emerged. Next, the major characteristics of the governance paradigm are identified and contrasted with the older, more established government paradigm. The implications of the governance paradigm for social work administration are then discussed. Finally, the article concludes with some thoughts about changes in the educational preparation of social work administrators required by the ascendance of the governance paradigm.

KEYWORDS:

• governance
• social work administration
• social work administration skills