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Life and Labour
Contested Occupation and Meaningful Alienation
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Edited by:
Maria Giatsi Clausen
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2026
About this book
What makes human activity meaningful? This book explores how social, economic and political forces have shaped the meaning of ‘occupation’ throughout history. Tracing the shift from industrial capitalism’s division of ‘work’ and ‘life,’ it analyses how movements for gender equality, labour rights, decolonization and disability activism have contested what is considered meaningful. From the trade union fight for shorter hours to the feminist reimagining of domestic labour, the book examines the struggles over who defines occupation and for whose benefit. With case studies by activist scholars, this provocative book reveals how conflicts are central to shaping modern social relations.
Topics
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Front Matter
i -
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Contents
v -
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Notes on Contributors
vii - PART I
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1 Occupation as Hegemony
3 - PART II
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Preface to Chapter 2: Capitalism and the Labour Movement
23 -
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2 Trade Union Organizing for Life
25 -
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Preface to Chapter 3: Patriarchy and the Feminist Movement
47 -
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3 Gendered Occupation: How the Women’s Movement Has Challenged Sex Inequality in the Labour Market
49 -
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Preface to Chapter 4: Colonization and Anticolonial Resistance
66 -
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4 Decolonizing Occupation: Everyday Forms of Resistance in Palestine
68 -
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Preface to Chapter 5: Toxicity, Extractivism and the Environmental Movement
87 -
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5 A Decent Environment for All
89 -
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Preface to Chapter 6: Resistance to a Disabling Society
101 -
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6 Occupation and Disability: Alienation and Affirmation
103 -
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Preface to Chapter 7: ‘Normal’ Occupations and Neurodiversity
122 -
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7 The Autistic People’s Movement: Shifting the Narrative
124 -
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Preface to Chapter 8: Psych Hegemony and the Mad Movement
140 -
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8 Madness and Occupation
142 -
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Preface to Chapter 9: Children, Infrapolitics and Youth Resistance
161 -
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9 Resistance and Formal Schooling: Making a Case for Politicization and the Scholé
163 -
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Preface to Chapter 10: Resisting Employment and Alternative Occupation
178 -
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10 Mental Illness, Volunteering and Recovery: Transforming Work towards Human Flourishing
179 -
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Preface to Chapter 11: ‘Professional’ Resistance and Alternative Occupation
199 -
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11 How Do People Talk About Work in Art Therapy?
201 - PART III
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12 Conclusion: From Meaningful Alienation to Emancipatory Praxis – The Role of Social Movements
221 -
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Index
235
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
January 27, 2026
eBook ISBN:
9781529242553
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Main content:
240
eBook ISBN:
9781529242553
Audience(s) for this book
For universities and colleges of further and higher education
