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First published in 1982, Professional Power and Social Welfare examines the nature, extent and significance of professional power in the broad area of social welfare. Paul Wilding fills a major gap in the literature of the welfare professions. He looks at the power of the professions in policymaking, in resource allocation, their power over people, their power to define needs and problems, and their limited accountability. He analyses the basis of this power, and reviews criticism of the claims, achievements, knowledge and ideals of the professions. His conclusion is that the only satisfactory relationship between professions, clients and society must be one of partnership: a balance of professional, political, bureaucratic and consumer power. This book will be of interest to students of sociology and political science.