Representations of Disability in Maoist China 1949-1976

The overall goal of this project is to elucidate similarities, differences, possibilities and limitations in both China and the field of disability studies. By choosing to look at Maoist China, I interrogate a crucial but... [ view full abstract ]

The overall goal of this project is to elucidate similarities, differences, possibilities and limitations in both China and the field of disability studies. By choosing to look at Maoist China, I interrogate a crucial but controversial period in China’s history that is frequently portrayed in a negative light in mainstream literature. I enter this conversation by considering the role the state, the family unit, and the individual played in creating the welfare system. Chinese propaganda posters, disability policies, short stories, and film inform my analysis. They also offer insights into what the Chinese government valued and how these values shaped their approach to disability.

Few scholars have made a direct engagement with disability policies in Maoist China. The small body of research that focuses on disability in China looks at the post-Mao era. This is due to the rapid transitions that overwhelmingly characterize modern day China and the social stratification that has emerged. I utilize Western disability studies scholarship to not only critique but also in some circumstances praise the Chinese welfare model under Mao. I also identify gaps and challenge the ideas of Western theorists who are typically seen as authority figures on this topic.