Empire of Normality
Neurodiversity and Capitalism
This is the rise of the anti-capitalist neurodiversity movement
The neurodiversity movement suggests that it takes all kinds of minds for society to function. Instead of accepting their place as inferior, the divergent are reforging their position as 'neurominorities', and are organising in ever greater numbers to change how they are perceived and treated.
Robert Chapman looks at the history that led to this movement, showing how the rise of capitalism created an 'empire of normality' that transformed our understanding of the body into that of a productivity machine.
Blowing apart this outdated and oppressive understanding of mental functioning, Chapman argues that a bright future for neurodivergent communities could be achieved by challenging the deepest logics of capitalism. Liberation from oppression is possible, but only if we can change the conditions that gave rise to pervasive neuronormative domination across the modern world.
'This groundbreaking book fills a crucial gap in the discourse about neurodiversity, providing a deep history of the invention of the 'normal' mind as one of the most damaging and oppressive tools of capitalism, while not succumbing to the myths of the 'anti-psychiatry' movement. To read it is to see the world more clearly.'
- Steve Silberman, author of 'NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity''A vital book that kindles the flames of a Marxist neurodivergent revolution. Chapman boldly challenges us to envision a world liberated from neuronormative oppression, where dismantling capitalism is central to disabled, Mad, and neurodivergent liberation—a new radical approach to neurodiversity that is explicitly anti-capitalist.'
- Beatrice Adler-Bolton, co-author of 'Health Communism''An instant seminal text, Empire of Normality takes on the huge task of crafting a coherent, radical, Marxist approach to neurodivergence. Chapman impressively and critically assembles disparate philosophical, scientific and activist currents across time to carve out a new politics that pushes beyond liberal rights-based approaches, and guides us towards a liberated future.'
- Micha Frazer-Carroll, author of 'Mad World: The Politics of Mental Health''Empire of Normality argues that a radical politics of neurodiversity needs to be central to the struggle against capitalism. Chapman explains why this is necessary, not only for neurodivergent folk, but for our collective liberation. Thought provoking, challenging and compelling.'
- Professor Hel Spandler, Editor, 'Asylum: the radical mental health magazine''Engaging, impeccably researched, and a vital step in the emergence of a new social paradigm. Chapman uncovers the origins of the stifling norms that limit our collective potentials, and points the way toward a better and more creative future.'
- Nick Walker, author of 'Neuroqueer Heresies'Preface
Introduction
1 Rise of the machines
2 The invention of normality
3 Galton’s paradigm
4 The eugenics movement
5 The myths of anti-psychiatry
6 Fordist normalisation
7 The return of Galtonian psychiatry
8 Post-Fordism as a mass disabling event
9 The neurodiversity movement
10 Cognitive contradictions
11 After normality
Notes
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index
eBook ISBN: 9780745348674
140mm x 216mm