IN THE LAST OF OUR METAPHORICAL DISTINCTIONS we turn to the group of theories and perspectives within social work that seek to eliminate disadvantage and empower people to realize their hopes and aspirations. Over time these theories have been described in many ways: activist, progressive, structuralist, political, radical, anti-oppressive and emancipatory, to name just a few. They share an important common aim: to connect the personal with the political and, in doing so, to shift focus from individual blame to collective solutions across social, economic and political domains (Trevithick 2005). In this sense they apply ‘mountain-moving’ effort to create a more equal society.

Mountain-moving theories stretch this effort, conceptually and practically, across individual, family, community and societal concerns. Understanding the nature of injustice and social inequality is of critical importance, and changing structures, systems and processes to increase their responsiveness is a key practical activity in reducing disadvantage. As we look at the development of these theoretical ideas over time, nevertheless, we will see the complexity of incorporating a social action reform agenda within contemporary practice environments.