Critical disability studies, Brexit and Trump: a time of neoliberal-ableism

One feels light-headed even trying to decipher the actualities of the global political system and cultural order in light of the traumatic events of Brexit and Trump. One trope worth dissected is that of ableism as an obvious partner of neoliberalism. The concept of neoliberal–ableism captures the elision of key tenets of both processes that emphasise self-containment, autonomy and independence. Such ideas were key to the Trump and Brexit campaigns and now leave us in a dangerous space of isolationism. Trump and Brexit hail in a new kind of neoliberalism; one associated with the rolling out of ableist ideals. And while West might be correct in predicting the death of some elements of late capitalism, we know from history that ability and disability – or dis/ability – are used to restructure political orders. We will consider the rise of neoliberal–ableism as a key guiding ideology of both Brexit and Trump supporters and ask: what does this mean for disabled people? After considering these two historical events we will think of the future and consider some of the ways in which we may respond and resist.