The Politics of Disablement — New Social Movements

Abstract

The preceding analysis has suggested that disabled people cannot look to either the welfare state or traditional political activities to effect considerable material and social improvements in the quality of their lives. The only hope, therefore, is that the disability movement will continue to grow in strength and consequently have a substantial impact on the politics of welfare provision. This chapter will thus consider the emergence of new political activities, which have been characterised as ‘new social movements’, and discuss the emergent disability movement as part of this new phenomenon. The structure and tactics of the disability movement will be considered, along with the role of the state, before, finally, an assessment of future possibilities will be made.