The West and the Rest Divide: Human Rights, Culture and Social Work

Abstract

Based on historical antecedents and continuing forms of imperialism, contemporary constructions of the world are exemplified by divisions, cultural conceit and skewed socio-economic development within and across nations. There is a tendency to present Western and Asian/African “culture” and social work as monolithic and dichotomous entities, thus reinforcing essentializing discourses on culture and social work, which I contest by dealing with three major issues—culture, human rights and neoliberalism. The inextricable relationship between socio-economic development, democracy, culture and human rights, with intersecting “race”, gender and national/regional belonging are predisposing determinants of poverty and human rights violations, which have important implications for social work education, research and practice.