Comparing East and West - a flashback on the history of comparative research in social work

ENThe development of social work in different European countries in the nineteenth and early twentieth century followed sooner or later a rather similar path. Nevertheless, we find everywhere particular characteristics. Only if we compare certain economic standards, cultural habits, religious codes and the balance of public and private activities, the characteristics of welfare development in each country become visual. If we want to know something about our country, we have to look at others. Therefore, we have to compare social work and its history, because only then the question of similarities and differences cannot be avoided and become crucial elements of our studies.