Vulnerability and disability: a citizenship perspective

Abstract

This article discusses vulnerability and disability focusing on inclusion and citizenship, inspired by Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach and Martha Fineman’s vulnerability theory. A public speech held at the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian Constitution is used as an exemplary case. The speaker, a woman with Down syndrome, challenges the Norwegian politic of inclusion. By drawing on perspectives from Nussbaum and Fineman, the article argues that a political concept of the person must emphasize individuals as vulnerable together with a recognition of disability as inherent in humanity. Vulnerability and disability are equally important for building future societies characterized by non-discrimination and equal citizenship.

Keywords:

• inclusion
• biotechnology
• Down syndrome
• citizenship
• recognition

Acknowledgements

The author thanks two anonymous reviewers for their generous reading and very helpful remarks. A very early draft of this article was discussed at the Saether workshop in Berkeley, CA, USA, 20–22 June 2014. The author appreciates the comments from participants Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, Susan Schweick, Cathrine Kudlick, Gerogina Kleege, Katherine Sherwood, Jan Grue, Halvor Hanisch and Sara Orning.

The author also appreciates useful comments from Helle Ploug Hansen, Per Koren Solvang and Vilde Lid Aavitsland.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. I thank Susan Schweick for this example.