Professionalism and state engagement : lawyers and legal aid policy in Australia in the 1970s and 1980s

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    Abstract

    Profession-state relations are usually analysed from an interventionist perspective in which the contemporary state acts as a unified and conscious subject, and threatens the autonomy of professionals by regulating and employing them. The recent history of debates and reforms to the legal aid system in Australia suggests there is a far more complex link between professional groups and sectors of the state. The legal profession has entered a phase of extended state engagement which runs parallel to major social changes and political conflict among lawyers. These changes include the rise of a new legal services segment of the profession, with its own ideal model of practice, distinct specialisation and clientele, and a new response to public agency involvement in professional matters. The greater contemporary level of engagement with the public sector has threatened the power of the traditional elites among lawyers. But it has been of overall benefit for the profession; expanding work, career prospects and control and influence over sectors of the state. These developments reflect the increasing interdependence of the Australian welfare state and groups of new middle- class professionals, and the limits to the attainment of reform program goals that can result from this.
    Original languageEnglish
    Number of pages24
    JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Sociology
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1992

    Keywords

    • Australia
    • government policy
    • lawyers
    • legal aid
    • professionalism

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