Book Launch - Between Families and Institutions: Mental Health and Biopolitical Paternalism in Contemporary China

Author: Zhiying Ma, Crown School of Social Work, University of Chicago

Description of the book:

Between Families and Institutions: Mental Health and Biopolitical Paternalism in Contemporary China explores how families have been centrally and controversially involved in psychiatric governance in post-reform China. Drawing on 32 months of fieldwork, interviews with key stakeholders, and archival and media analysis, it introduces the concept of “biopolitical paternalism” to illuminate how state power, medical authority, and familial care intertwine in managing people diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. Moving beyond China, the book offers a critical lens on the entanglements of care, responsibility, risk, and governance in an age of biomedicalization and neoliberal reform.

Discussant: Yuan Zhang, LSE–Fudan Global Public Policy Hub
Chair: Hans Steinmüller, Department of Anthropology, LSE

From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back on this listing on the day of the event.

Whilst we are hosting this listing, LSE Events does not take responsibility for the running and administration of this event. While we take responsible measures to ensure that accurate information is given here this event is ultimately the responsibility of the organisation presenting the event.

LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.