Toward Partisan Politics in a Professional Association: Utility of the Candidates Poll

Authors

L. K. Northwood, University of Washington
Howard Crockett, University of Washington

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the initial efforts of one local chapter, The Puget Sound Chapter; to engage in partisan politics by the conduct of a poll of candidates for election to the Washington State Legislature in 1974. Properly speaking, the Chapter endorsed no candidates, merely rated them from "weak" to "outstanding" on their agreement with NASW policies on relevant programs and their social welfare attitudes. Thus, it is a mild form of partisan politics that will be considered.

The paper will analyze the social and organizational context in which the candidates' poll occurred, and then report on the advantages and shortcomings of the poll as a technique for the assessment of political candidates. Finally, there will be a brief commentary on the functions of the professional association in the politicalization of the activities of organized social workers.

Recommended Citation

Northwood, L. K. and Crockett, Howard (1974) "Toward Partisan Politics in a Professional Association: Utility of the Candidates Poll," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1112
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol3/iss1/8