Radical social theorists Antonio Gramsci and Walter Benjamin: can they help understand and power effective mental health reform?

Abstract

Issues concerning the relationship between psychiatrists and people with experience of mental ill health and implications for psychiatric reform are covered. Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937), Italian politician and Marxist philosopher, focused on the concepts of culture, hegemony and common sense in analysing societal change. He can be credited with having provided a concept for the role intellectuals can assume in processes of change. Gramsci contributed to the concept of ‘hegemony’. It can be argued that he provided some theoretical background to the Italian psychiatric reform leading to a new mental health law in 1978. Walter Benjamin (1892-1940), German literary and cultural critic, understood cultural change as an integral part of history as it unfolds. His magnum opus, the Arcades Project, describes Paris as the capital of the 19th century. Benjamin’s thinking can be considered complementary with Gramsci’s work in analysing society by focusing on physical structure, technology, images, media and culture. His work focuses on ‘experience’. Benjamin’s perspective on society may help to understand mental health issues such as therapeutic encounter or peer support. Gramsci provides a framework for understanding psychiatric reform as part of societal change. Both thinkers can help understand how mental health reform is related with society.