The paradox of social work is that we are complicit in sustaining the very systems that propagate harm

Systems thinker Nate Hagens describes the ‘superorganism’ as the collective body of humanity, where individuals act like cells within an organism. This body, as he outlines in Economics for the future – Beyond the superorganism, perpetually grows, driven by the energy it consumes, primarily through practices like capitalism. 

While this growth-oriented structure originated as a survival mechanism, it has evolved into a consuming entity that risks self-destruction through its endless need for energy and expansion. 

The superorganism, in this sense, is both the driver of humanity’s achievements and the source of its potential downfall. Within the superorganism, capitalism acts as a driving force, perpetuating growth and energy consumption. 

How does social work fit into this framework? Social work can be viewed as a component within the superorganism, particularly within the context of capitalism, acting as a conservation mechanism. It can be seen as existing to maintain the wellbeing of individual “cells” (people) and stabilise the overall body of the superorganism. By addressing the social harms caused by capitalism, such as poverty, inequality, and marginalisation, social work ensures that the system continues to function.

Social work’s role within this system is therefore paradoxical: it exists to address the harms caused by capitalism while simultaneously enabling its continuation. By stabilising individuals and communities, social work helps maintain the functionality of the larger system, effectively acting as a "sticking plaster" over the wounds created by structural inequalities. 

This raises critical questions: if social work is part of a system that is fundamentally self-destructive, what does that mean for its purpose and future?

Social work origins

Born out of the social and economic chaos of the industrial revolution, social work emerged as both a response to and a product of rapid urbanisation, widespread poverty, and growing inequality. 

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, visionaries like Jane Addams, co-founder of Hull House in Chicago, and Octavia Hill, a pioneer in housing reform in London, formalised the profession. Their work focused on addressing the pressing needs of immigrant and working-class communities, offering education, public health services, and housing solutions. 

Meanwhile, Mary Richmond’s development of the scientific casework method, immortalised in her seminal 1917 book Social Diagnosis, which laid the foundation for modern social work practices.

At its core, social work was not just about helping individuals but about stabilising the larger systems within which they lived. The profession arose as a buffer to the inequalities exacerbated by industrial capitalism, stepping in to mend the social fractures that threatened the stability of the broader societal structure.

By addressing poverty, homelessness, and exploitation, social work ensured the "cells" of the larger human superorganism – its people – remained functional, allowing the capitalist framework to continue growing. 

In this way, social work became both a compassionate response to human suffering and an essential mechanism for maintaining the cohesion of a system built on perpetual growth and consumption.

Social work as a superorganism

Social work itself can be seen as a superorganism nested within the larger human superorganism. It consists of interconnected agents – social workers, organisations, institutions, and communities – working collaboratively to address societal challenges such as inequality, vulnerability, and social cohesion. 

These agents act in concert to produce outcomes, such as improved wellbeing, stability, and equity, which benefit both individuals and the broader societal structure. Like cells within an organism, the components of social work specialise in tasks such as advocacy, resource distribution, and emotional support, contributing to the collective fitness of communities and, by extension, the human superorganism.

This nested structure highlights how social work mirrors the traits of a superorganism. Its adaptability and coordination allow it to function as a stabilising force, addressing the imbalances created by growth-oriented systems. 

However, social work also depends on the larger system for its resources and energy, tying its survival to the very structures it seeks to reform. In times of systemic collapse, social work may fragment into localised, grassroots efforts, adapting to smaller, community-based scales while maintaining its purpose of fostering social resilience. 

This adaptability suggests that social work has the potential to act as a regenerative force in crises, ensuring survival and cooperation even in the absence of centralised structures.

The future of social work

As the superorganism approaches its limits, driven by resource depletion and environmental degradation, social work will need to evolve. It must grapple with the possibility of systemic collapse and consider its role in a post-capitalist world. 

In such a scenario, social work may transition from a formalised profession to a decentralised, community-driven practice focused on survival and resilience. This shift would require diminishing power dynamics, reducing hierarchy, and embracing circular, cooperative frameworks that prioritise collective wellbeing over growth.

Social work also needs to critically examine its place within the broader system. By addressing not only individual needs but also the structural drivers of inequality, social work can contribute to systemic change.

Social work, as part of the superorganism, plays a vital role in stabilising society and addressing immediate needs. Yet, it is also complicit in sustaining the very systems that propagate harm. 

To remain relevant and impactful, social work must look beyond its traditional role as a mediator of capitalism’s effects and embrace its potential as a force for systemic change. However, this requires a willingness to challenge the capitalist frameworks that perpetuate harm, even if it means questioning the foundations of the profession itself. 

Ultimately, the future of social work lies in its ability to align with regenerative principles and focus on fostering equity, sustainability, and resilience in an increasingly uncertain world.

Stephanie Rost is currently a PhD candidate in social work at Gothenburg University in Sweden