Between Global North and South Global Grass-Roots Movements of People with Psychosocial Disabilities in East Asia

Abstract

This study explores the social movements of people with psychosocial disabilities in East Asia. Comparisons are drawn between the East Asian movements and those in other parts of the world – namely, the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (movement from the Global North), and Transforming Communities for Inclusion Global (movement from the Global South). Contextual factors that shape the character of the East Asian movements are considered. It is argued that whilst the East Asian movements share certain characteristics with movements from the Global North and South, they cannot be categorized according to this dualism. The analysis reveals some of the limitations of the Global North/South dualism and suggestions are made for progressing beyond this dualism in order to identify certain commonalities between psychosocial movements, globally.