Marxist. Trade Unionist. Socialist-feminist. Author. Poet. Speaker. Tutor. RMT ex-Exec. Workers' Liberty. Autie. Bi. PUFC fan.

Marxism

Theoretical articles, notes and events from the perspective of working-class self-emancipation.

Marxism and Autism

Submitted by Janine on 01 April 2017 at 08:09

Published in Solidairty 434, 29 March 2017:

 

Can Marxism can help us to understand autistic experience in modern capitalism? How might Marxism inform our struggles for equality and liberation?

There are different approaches to understanding autism. Perhaps the dominant approach is a medical one: seeing autism as a disease or tragedy, and autistic people as being broken and needing fixing. Over recent years, a more progressive approach has developed. It stresses acceptance of autistic people rather than simply “awareness”, and demands rights, equality and support rather than abusive “treatments”.

This approach is based on the concept of neurodiversity: the recognition that the human species is neurologically diverse; that different people have different brain wiring. But this more progressive approach, while welcome, does not necessarily locate autism and neurodiversity within the social, economic and political structures of society. It is important to do this — firstly, because all disability exists in a social context; and secondly, because autism is largely an issue of how people interact socially. We are all expected to follow social rules, but who makes those social rules, and how?

Marxism and Autism: Newcastle

Submitted by Janine on 25 March 2017 at 19:16
Event Date
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Janine introduces a discussion on Marxism and Autism. Can Marxism help explain the autistic experience under capitalism, and contribute to our fight against oppression?

Venue: Broadacre House, Market Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 6HQ

Informal Discussion on Autism and Marxism, Leeds

Submitted by Janine on 10 September 2016 at 16:41
Event Date

In a pub somewhere near the Lovell Park Autism Hub. Meet outside the Hub at 7pm or text 07957-217639 to find out where we are! Janine will give a take about Marxism and Autism, then we'll chat about it. Can Marxism explain the social position and experiences of autistic people? Are there specific Marxist theories that are useful? Is capitalism both developed and disabling? What's class got to do with it?

Marxism and Autism: there is a spectrum haunting Europe

Submitted by Janine on 02 July 2016 at 20:35
Event Date
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As part of Workers' Liberty's annual Ideas For Freedom event, Janine and Dr Dinah Murray will introduce a discussion on Marxism and autism.

How can Marxism explain the autistic experience in modern capitalism? What is the political economy of the neurodiverse working class? How are autistic people exploited and oppressed?

Venue: Student Central, Malet Street, London.