The case

The "Robodebt" scheme was a policy initiative designed by the Australian Government under the leadership of the Coalition (the Liberal National Party) Government. The scheme was designed to "claw back" excessive welfare payments made to members of the Australian community receiving welfare payments. People receiving welfare payments are unemployed and typically amongst the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the community.

The scheme acquired the name "Robodebt" because a central feature was the use of an algorithm to determine if people on welfare had been "overpaid". Those people identified as owing the Government money were then pursued to pay back the amount determined by the algorithm. The problem with this approach was that the algorithm used an income-averaging methodology, which led to incorrect conclusions about the debts people owed the Government. This meant that many people were chased for debts that they did not owe. Welfare recipients chased for debt also had very little recourse in terms of challenging these debts or speaking to a human being to help establish the facts about their income and correct the record. It was subsequently established by the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme that this was extremely distressing for many people. A summation of the Commissioner, Catherine Holmes, from the ABC:

Commissioner Catherine Holmesbranded the former Coalition government's debt-raising scheme an "extraordinary saga" of "venality, incompetence and cowardice".

"The report paints a picture of how the Robodebt [scheme] ... was put together on an ill-conceived, embryonic idea," CommissionerHolmes wrote.

"It is remarkable how little interest there seems to have been in ensuring the scheme's legality, how rushed its implementation was, how little thought was given to how it would affect welfare recipients and the lengths to which public servants were prepared to go to oblige ministers on a quest for savings."

Following are some useful links that explain and/or critique the scheme, and also a link to the actual report of the Royal Commission. Links to these documents or the documents themselves may also be found via the Reading List. A range of other resources, include videos, are also provided in the Reading List:

Explainer: What is Robodebt? Six things to watch for in the Royal Commission's final report today:https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/07/six-things-to-watch-for-in-the-robodebt-royal-commission-report

Robodebt Royal Commission's findings revealed, individuals referred for criminal prosecution:Robodebt royal commission findings revealed, individuals referred for criminal prosecution - ABC News

Another Robodebt disaster's inevitable if we give AI too much autonomy:https://www.theage.com.au/technology/another-robo-debt-disaster-s-inevitable-if-we-give-ai-too-much-autonomy-20230712-p5dnlv.html

Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme: Read the report:https://robodebt.royalcommission.gov.au/

In the wake of this scandal, many of the managers and senior executives who were involved in Robodebt have lost their jobs, due to:

• irresponsible, unethical, and in all respects poor program design, which appears to have been driven solely by the paradigm and ideology of functionalism;
• irresponsible decision-making;
• a lack of checks and balances to ensure the program treated people fairly and with dignity;
• a lack of human empathy for clients receiving government payments, who were as "cheats" of the welfare system;
• not being honest about the illegal nature of the scheme;
• failing to ask questions at important moments throughout the implementation and ongoing management of the program.

Your role

You are a senior manager in the government service agency responsible for Robodebt. You have been spared your job, as you were distanced from the maladministration that took place. In the fall out, you have been tasked with scrapping the program and redesigning it from scratch. In particular, you wish to focus on the following recommendation from the Report of the Royal Commission:

Recommendation 10.1: Design policies and processes with emphasis on the people they are meant to serve.

You have studied Organisations at RMIT, as part of your Bachelor of Business. Having read this recommendation, you realise that the paradigms of Radical Structuralism and Radical Humanism will be especially helpful in establishing some underlying principles to inform the design of a new program. Accordingly, you ask one of your direct reports to draw on these paradigms to develop some principles to underpin the design of a welfare program.

Your team member uses AI to perform this task and comes back to you with the information contained inAppendix 1.

However, as your team member has not personally invested time in understanding these paradigms, she is unable to speak to any of this content. Neither is she able to parse it, to ensure the information is credible and trustworthy. While you can see that some of the content is potentially helpful, some of it is also questionable. The content is not supported by references, it is superficial, and some pertinent and incredibly valuable features of Radical Humanism and Radical Structuralism are not mentioned at all. Essentially, the information is not entirely trustworthy.

Appendix 1:

RADICAL HUMANISM

Prompt: Using the paradigm of radical humanism, generate four principles to guide the development of a social welfare program

Principle 1: Human Dignity and Empowerment

The first principle of a social welfare program guided by radical humanism is the recognition and protection of human dignity. This principle asserts that every individual, regardless of their social, economic, or cultural background, possesses inherent worth and should be treated with respect. The program should aim to empower individuals by providing opportunities for personal growth, self-determination, and active participation in society. It should prioritize the fulfillment of basic human needs such as healthcare, education, and housing, while also fostering an environment that encourages individuals to reach their full potential.

Principle 2: Equity and Social Justice

Equity and social justice are fundamental to radical humanism. The social welfare program should address systemic inequalities and work towards creating a more equitable society. It should strive to minimize disparities by providing equal access to resources, services, and opportunities for all individuals, particularly those who have historically been marginalized or disadvantaged. The program should be designed to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and a level playing field, while actively challenging discriminatory practices and policies.

Principle 3: Collaboration and Community Engagement

Radical humanism emphasizes the importance of collective action and community engagement. The social welfare program should be developed through an inclusive and participatory process that involves input from diverse stakeholders, including community members, advocacy groups, and experts. It should foster collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community-based initiatives to maximize the program's impact. By actively involving the affected communities, the program can better understand their unique needs and preferences, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes.

Principle 4: Holistic Well-being and Sustainable Development

The final principle centers around holistic well-being and sustainable development. The social welfare program should adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental factors. It should aim to improve not only the immediate welfare of individuals but also their long-term quality of life. This entails investing in education, skills training, and employment opportunities, as well as promoting environmental sustainability and resilience. The program should prioritize long-term outcomes and ensure that its interventions contribute to the overall well-being of individuals, communities, and the environment.

By adhering to these principles, a social welfare program guided by radical humanism can strive to create a just, inclusive, and sustainable society that values and supports the dignity and empowerment of all individuals.

RADICAL STRUCTURALISM

Prompt: Using the paradigm of radical structuralism, generate four principles to guide the development of a social welfare program

Principle 1: Structural Analysis and Transformation

The first principle of a social welfare program guided by radical structuralism is to conduct a thorough analysis of the underlying structural factors that contribute to social inequities and disparities. This analysis should identify the systemic and institutional barriers that perpetuate poverty, inequality, and marginalization. The program should aim to address these root causes by advocating for structural changes in policies, laws, and institutions to create a more just and equitable society. This principle emphasizes the need to challenge and transform the structural systems that perpetuate social injustices.

Principle 2: Redistribution of Resources and Power

Radical structuralism emphasizes the redistribution of resources and power as a means to achieve social justice. The social welfare program should prioritize equitable distribution of wealth, income, and opportunities. It should work towards reducing economic disparities and addressing power imbalances within society. This can be achieved through progressive taxation, wealth redistribution measures, and policies that promote fair labor practices and social safety nets. The program should strive to ensure that resources and decision-making power are distributed in a manner that benefits the most marginalized and disadvantaged populations.

Principle 3: Participatory Democracy and Collective Action

Participatory democracy and collective action are central principles of radical structuralism. The social welfare program should encourage active citizen participation and empower marginalized communities to have a say in decision-making processes. It should facilitate the formation of grassroots organizations and foster collective action to address social issues. The program should enable communities to mobilize, advocate for their rights, and actively contribute to shaping policies that affect them. This principle emphasizes the importance of including the voices of those directly affected by social welfare policies in their design and implementation.

Principle 4: Intersectionality and Social Solidarity

Radical structuralism recognizes the interconnectedness of various social identities and oppressions. The social welfare program should adopt an intersectional approach that considers how different forms of oppression, such as race, gender, class, and ability, intersect and compound each other. It should be responsive to the diverse needs and experiences of marginalized groups, working towards eliminating all forms of discrimination and oppression. The program should promote social solidarity by fostering empathy, understanding, and allyship among different social groups. It should strive to build bridges across communities to create a cohesive and inclusive society.

By adhering to these principles, a social welfare program guided by radical structuralism can aim to address the structural roots of social inequalities, promote equitable distribution of resources and power, foster participatory democracy, and encourage social solidarity. This approach seeks to create systemic changes that lead to a more just and inclusive society for all.

What you must do (for this assignment)

Critique the information provided to you by your team member, use your understanding of the two conflict paradigms (Radical Structuralism and Radical Humanism) and your understanding of Epistemology to conduct this critique.

Template for your critique:

1. Overall credibility of output: Credible, partially credible or not credible
2. Rationale for rating and evidence, and summative comments:

Guiding questions

• Does this principle reflect the features of the paradigm? To what extent and in what ways?
• Can you substantiate this principle by drawing on Burrell & Morgan and/or Hirschheim & Klein? Cite the relevant key features as expressed by B&M and K&K. Use page numbers if citing direct quotes.
  • For Radical Structuralism in Burrell & Morgan, see pp. 33-35, and Chapter 10, if desired. For RS in Hirschheim & Klein, see Story III, pp. 1206-1207.
  • For Radical Humanism in Burrell & Morgan, see pp. 32-33, and Chapters 8-9, if desired. For RH in H&K, see Story 3.IV, pp. 1207-1210.
• If you believe this principle does not reflect the features of the paradigm, demonstrate your evaluation by citing the actual features supported by B&M and H&K. Use page numbers if citing direct quotes.
• If required, how might the principle be re-expressed, to more accurately and credibly represent Radical Structuralism / Humanism?
• Draw on the theory of epistemology to reflect on your judgment and support your conclusion.
• Use between 200 to 250 words per principle.
• You may use bullet points, to express your thoughts.