Critical Theory and Independent Living

Author:
Teodor Mladenov
Search for other papers by Teodor Mladenov in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

The book argues that the organic wisdom of the disabled people’s Independent Living movement can enrich contemporary critical theory. This wisdom comes from fighting for supports that enable everyday living while maximising self-determination. The result is a bold yet complex demand for a specific form of interdependence. The book highlights the implications of such a demand for the critical theorising of the state, the market, and the family, conceived as key organising principles of social welfare. On the one hand, the Independent Living movement has defended the welfare state, resisted radical marketisation, and affirmed familial relationships and supports. On the other hand, the movement has criticised professional power and statism, embraced quasi-marketisation, and opposed familialism. These contradictory positions are unpicked by exploring the work of the European Network on Independent Living – a civil society organisation led and controlled by disabled people to advance Independent Living in Europe. Contextual nuance is achieved by discussing the realisation of Independent Living in different welfare regimes (liberal, conservative, social-democratic, and post/socialist). Critical depth comes from engaging with Foucaultian studies of biopower (and welfarism); related analyses of psychopower (and neoliberal marketisation); feminist critiques of the family (and familialism); and studies of epistemic injustice. The ensuing discussion testifies that the Independent Living paradigm can enrich contemporary critical theory by suggesting ways of reconciling individual freedom and societal structures. The book pioneers the concept of ‘egalitarian care’ to conceptualise this reconciliation, while also contributing to Independent Living’s epistemic struggles for (re)claiming meanings vital for disabled people’s emancipation.

Abstract only
Log-in for full text
  • Collapse
  • Expand

All of MUP's digital content including Open Access books and journals is now available on manchesterhive.

 

    • Full book download (HTML)
    • Full book download (PDF with hyperlinks)
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 244496 244496 194602
Full Text Views 164 164 66
PDF Downloads 38 38 2