Welfare Workers as Surplus Population: A Useful Model?

Authors

Paula Dressel, Georgia State University
Mike Sweat, Emory University
Michelle Waters, Emory University

Abstract

Analysts of organizational and employment issues in social welfare are in need of a more critical orientation for framing debate. We propose that an understanding of welfare workers as surplus population offers critical insights into a number of longstanding welfare concerns, including political coalitions, professional standards, and worker burnout. Empirical evidence is presented to undergird the credibility of the surplus population argument.

Recommended Citation

Dressel, Paula; Sweat, Mike; and Waters, Michelle (1988) "Welfare Workers as Surplus Population: A Useful Model?," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 15: Iss. 1, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1842
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol15/iss1/7