Critical Theory and Disability - (Critical Theory and Contemporary Society) by Teodor Mladenov (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Critical Theory and Disability explores social and ontological issues encountered by present-day disabled people, applying ideas from disability studies and phenomenology. It focuses on disabling contexts in order to highlight and criticize the ontological assumptions of contemporary society, particularly those related to the meaning of human being. In empirical terms, the book explores critically social practices that undermine disabled people's well being, drawing on cases from contemporary Bulgaria. It includes in-depth examination of key mechanisms such as disability assessment, personal assistance (direct payments) and disability-based discrimination. On this basis, wider sociological and ontological claims are made concerning the body, identity, otherness, and exclusion.

Review Quotes

"In this wonderfully affirmative appeal to the power of social theory and philosophy, Teodor Mladenov has written a book that carefully exposes the existential-ontological dimensions of disablism whilst, simultaneously, opening up a space for positively re-imagining and re-valuing different ways of being human. This is a potent reminder that activism and theory work together at the levels of the society and the self." --Dan Goodley, Professor of Disability Studies and Education, the University of Sheffield, UK

"This extremely original and innovative book brings perspectives of existential phenomenology and critical theory to bear on disability studies. Clearly and confidently argued, it is a major contribution to the field." --William Outhwaite, Professor of Sociology, Newcastle University, UK.

"Teodor Mladenov uses phenomenological philosophy and a carnal approach to sociology in order to focus scholarly attention on what it means to be human and how negative ontologies derived from dis/ableist sentiments and practices undermine and invalidate disabled peoples claims to membership of the human community. Through closely argued case studies of disabled peoples experience of life in his native Bulgaria - including, for example, in depth discussions of personal assistance, disability assessment and media representations - Mladenov introduces disability studies to its philosophical soul." --Bill Hughes, Professor, Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland

"A must read. By exploring contemporary Bulgaria's conceptual and institutional relations with disability, Teodor Mladenov has written an intriguing phenomenological analysis of embodiment. More intriguing still, Mladenov provides a convincing demonstration of the significance of disability to the lingering question of what it means to be human." --Rod Michalko, Lecturer Emeritus, Department of Social Justice Education, University of Toronto, Canada.

About the Author

Teodor Mladenov has a PhD in Sociology of Disability from King's College London. He has published articles in Disability & Society, Critical Social Policy and Alter - European Journal of Disability Research, and has worked for many years as a researcher for disabled people's organisations and international NGOs operating in Bulgaria.