Stigma: The Machinery of Inequality

by Imogen Tyler

Stigma is a corrosive social force by which individuals and communities throughout history have been systematically dehumanised, scapegoated and oppressed. From the literal stigmatizing (tattooing) of criminals in ancient Greece, to modern day discrimination against Muslims, refugees and the 'undeserving poor', stigma has long been a means of securing the interests of powerful elites.

In this radical reconceptualisation Tyler precisely and passionately outlines the political function of stigma as an instrument of state coercion. Through an original social and economic reframing of the history of stigma, Tyler reveals stigma as a political practice, illuminating previously forgotten histories of resistance against stigmatization, boldly arguing that these histories provide invaluable insights for understanding the rise of authoritarian forms of government today.

Genres: Sociology, Politics, Academic, Nonfiction, Philosophy

384 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2020

Reviews

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally when I describe a book as painful, it means it’s bad. Couldn’t be farther from the case with this. Powerful and informative, it’s not always an easy book to read given the subject matter.

A crucial book dealing with the concepts of stigma, colonialism, and neoliberalism.

[Billy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler's account of stigma as one means among many of upholding the neoliberal social order is a revelation. Tyler takes an old idea and reconceptualises it for our own times, providing cogent analyses of classed, gendered and racialised stigmas which seek to legitimise increasingly punitive neoliberal forms of governmentality. The parallels with the sister project to this volume, Revolting Subjects, are easily recognisable and I would recommend, if you have the time, energy and means, of reading them together for a comprehensive portrait of the forms of abjection, stigmatisation and denigration that many of society's most vulnerable endure constantly under neoliberal capitalism. Tyler's work is compassionate and admirable.

[Harry McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a couple of sections in this - the part on the border and the part on austerity - that are really strong. The conception of stigma as a physical machine is really interesting though, I wish its origins hadn't only been revealed in the final pages.

[Charlotte Haines Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic analysis of how stigma has been used to separate people and engrain inequality over many centuries.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great review of historical uses of stigma as a means of governmental suppression. Falls a bit flat in really analyzing stigma as a concept itself.

[Lisa Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly constructed. An essential read that broadens the lens around stigma, inequity and inequality offering a historical account of stigma and power.

[Kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read this year. Well written and very accessible. A book I will return to again I’m sure.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read on recommendation from my Sociology lecturer and now considered one of the best things I've ever read. I've seen some negative reviews saying the history of stigma wasn't properly explained and...what? did we read the same thing?

This is a systematic evaluation of Stigma from the etymology of the word and it's different connotations, to every form of stigma we would recognise now (racial, gender inequality, ableism etc) to some we've never been taught about in history. I found almost every line of this interesting, my copy is covered in scribbles and !!! and post-it notes on almost every page of books I now want to read or topics I want to research. Genuinely just an incredible book, very educational.

[Mark Lawrenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book and am supportive of the overall politics. There are some interesting accounts of historical examples of stigma. But, I really don't feel stigma as a theme held together or was analysed in a meaningful way.

[Boka]

Leaves an impression