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American Pragmatism, Sociology and the Development of Disability Studies
ways that disability is socially constructed and the institutional/political
economic response to a defined social problem is
organized. In the United States, the key values in the culture of
rugged individualism, capitalism and democracy have remained
remarkably consistent over centuries (DIMAGGIO, EVANS and
BRYSON 1996). By contrast, European nations, while also espousing
democratic values, are generally more benign to those in need,
have more comprehensive and complete health and welfare
systems, and manifest less extreme differences in income
distribution in society and in services available to those in need
such as the unemployed, poor, women, children and disabled
people (ARDIGÓ 1995; EVANS 1995; AYANIAN et. al. 2000;
HAYWARD et al. 2000).
In the United States, then, emphasis on rugged individualism,
capitalism and the American brand of democracy affected how
disability is defined and the shared institutional response. Disability
is typically described as an individual problem with which the
disabled person must deal. While there are substantial government
programs for disabled people, they emphasize protection for those
in politically and economically valuable occupations like the
military, transportation workers and government employees and
are often aimed at return to work (MUDRICK 1997; YELIN 1997).
Whether in the public or private sector, rehabilitation goods and
services are commodities that can be bought and sold. Disability is
the focus of a multi-billion dollar business comprised of diverse
stakeholders in a capitalistic marketplace where helping disabled
people and making money are important goals. The stakeholder
groups include health care and medical professionals; hospitals,
therapy businesses and home care agencies; assisted care living
facilities; the pharmaceutical, medical supply, and technology
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