Surviving Identity: Vulnerability and the Psychology of Recognition

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Today, political claims are increasingly made on the basis of experienced trauma and inherent vulnerability, for example in the increasing numbers of people who identifyas a 'survivor' of one thing or another, as well as the way in which much political discourse and social policy assumes the vulnerability of the population.  This book discusses these developments in relation to the changing focus of social movements; from concerns with economic redistribution towards campaigns for cultural recognition. As a result of this, the experience of trauma and psychological vulnerability has become a dominant paradigm within which both personal and political grievances are expressed. Combining the psychological, social, and political aspects of the expression of individual distress and political dissent, this book provides a unique analysis of how concepts such as ‘vulnerability’ and ‘trauma’ have become institutionalized within politics and society, and also how many of the ‘caring’ measures that arise from this are justified. In addition, the book shows how the embracing of the survivor identity represents a diminished view of the human subject and our capacity to achieve progressive political and individual change. This book will be of interest to researchers, postgraduates and undergraduate students of critical psychology, sociology, social policy, politics, social movements and mental health.