[Social policy and the problems of handicapped persons: the concurrent influence of ethics and power]

The paper describes in a very concise manner the importance of social policy in solving certain societal problems that are influenced on the one hand by ethical values and realpolitik power structures on the other. Social policy as a means of societal policy itself is not governed by ethical principles, it can however be used as a tool of transforming society. However, apart from the necessary political power, certain economic preconditions have to be fulfilled in order to realise sociopolitical ideas and a "socially just" distribution of the national income. Social measures thus are a compromise between societal policy and political and economic power, aimed at eliminating societal problems that have resulted, or could result, in political activities of individual groups. People with disabilities therefore should not be content with pointing out existing societal problems but should act as political pressure group in order to force solution of their problems.