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This chapter expands and deepens the author’s earlier analysis of “Chinese social work at a crossroad” (Chen, 2024). It tries to shed light on: (1) conceptual issues of so-called “society work” vs. social work; (2) two lines of historical development; (3) theoretical exploration (how and why) in terms of Morris’ policy systems framework and my GPP theory and “Problem-GPP-ism” triple prism; and (4) practical dilemma of service/help vs. governance/government. The main arguments are: (1) With the new Department of Society Work of the Central Committee of the CPC/CCP (DSWCPC/DSWCCP) taking leadership, the term social work (SW) is no longer an accurate or sole translation of the Chinese word Shehui Gongzuo (SG); (2) The two meanings of SG (namely, social work and “society work”), represent two different lines of historical development; (3) The canceling, rebuilding, and now subordinating of professional social work can be explained under an “economic state in transition” GPP theory; and (4) The GPP shift/transfer toward balanced development articulated in 2017 has been complicated by some extremist trends including leftism and nationalism, which have created dilemmas for policymakers and practitioners amid the recent economic downturn.

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Social Work vs. Society Work: Conceptual Issues and a Comparative-Historical Understanding of Chinese Shehui Gongzuo (SG)

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Sheying Chen

摘要

This chapter expands and deepens the author’s earlier analysis of “Chinese social work at a crossroad” (Chen, 2024). It tries to shed light on: (1) conceptual issues of so-called “society work” vs. social work; (2) two lines of historical development; (3) theoretical exploration (how and why) in terms of Morris’ policy systems framework and my GPP theory and “Problem-GPP-ism” triple prism; and (4) practical dilemma of service/help vs. governance/government. The main arguments are: (1) With the new Department of Society Work of the Central Committee of the CPC/CCP (DSWCPC/DSWCCP) taking leadership, the term social work (SW) is no longer an accurate or sole translation of the Chinese word Shehui Gongzuo (SG); (2) The two meanings of SG (namely, social work and “society work”), represent two different lines of historical development; (3) The canceling, rebuilding, and now subordinating of professional social work can be explained under an “economic state in transition” GPP theory; and (4) The GPP shift/transfer toward balanced development articulated in 2017 has been complicated by some extremist trends including leftism and nationalism, which have created dilemmas for policymakers and practitioners amid the recent economic downturn.