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The Politics of Vulnerability: Affect, Relationality, and Resistance in UK Austerity

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The London School of Economics and Political Science The Politics of Vulnerability: Affect, Relationality, and Resistance in UK Austerity Jacqueline Gibbs A thesis submitted to the Department of Gender Studies of the London School of Economics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London, September 2018. 1 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the MPhil/PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 99,884 words. Statement of use of third party for editorial help: I can confirm that my thesis was copy edited for conventions of language, spelling, and grammar by Christopher Arden, Jacob Breslow, Iain Campbell, Ian Gibbs, Frances Glavimans, Aura Lehtonen, Sebastian Sporn, and Renee Miller-Yeaman. 2 Abstract The increasing prevalence of vulnerability as a descriptive concept in policy, political and social discourses occurs alongside a renewed, undeniably “vexed” (Murphy 2012:70), interdisciplinary feminist investment in the term as a crucial concept for social justice. This thesis contends that vulnerability must be understood as an affective and malleable concept, and one which performs changing work depending on the sites, subjects, and discourses to which it is attached. My analysis of the affective and discursive workings of this politics of vulnerability contributes to recent feminist theorisations of vulnerability as a key ethical political concept. It also extends feminist theorisations of care and relationality, temporality, and resistance through analysis of the cultural and affective ‘work’ that claims to vulnerability perform. In doing so, this thesis provides a critical analysis of the workings of vulnerability in relation to gender, disability, illness, citizenship, and nation in the context of recent UK austerity. Reading for the ways in which vulnerability appears across three key sites of (what has elsewhere been termed) “public feeling”, my analysis highlights the ambivalent politics produced through claims to vulnerability which seek to challenge conditions of precarity, debility and violence exposed through austerity processes. To do so, this thesis provides analysis of: responses to changes to illness and disability benefits and processes of assessment; feminist activist and advocate responses to the closure of domestic violence services; and media representations of the funding and staffing ‘crisis’ facing the NHS. The thesis draws together interdisciplinary literatures across the fields of queer feminist cultural studies, affect, feminist disability studies, violence, care and the state. It argues that reading for vulnerability across, and in relation to, changing political subjectivities, contextual debates, and critical attachments enables a better grasp of both the possibilities and significant limits to feminist investments in its transformative potential. 3 Acknowledgements The completion of this thesis occurred thanks to the support of many others. I can assuredly say I would not have reached the point of writing these acknowledgements without the insight, knowledge, and support of Associate Professor Sadie Wearing. Sadie’s contributions to my thinking now seem to travel with me as I write. She has encouraged me to try again, especially when I thought I couldn’t, and has taught me that a little dry humour can be transformative. Assistant Professor Leticia Sabsay has been an essential interlocutor and advocate throughout this process. Leticia challenged me to explain my ideas and to take them, and myself, seriously. Sadie and Leticia’s combined encouragement in all aspects of my time at the department has been fundamental to my finishing this work. I feel very lucky to have worked with you both. Professor Clare Hemmings has provided invaluable feedback on my work and continues to inspire my thinking. Thank you also to Associate Professor Marsha Henry, Assistant Professor Ania Plomien, and Professor Wendy Sigle who provided essential perspectives on earlier drafts of these chapters. Hazel Johnstone’s knowledge and patience continues to sustain the work of the department and our achievements as students. Dr. Kate Steward has shown an incredible willingness to respond to any of my concerns and has been a very encouraging presence as I have worked to make sense of academic life. Together, the staff and faculty at the Department of Gender Studies have provided a reassuring and enriching environment to work in. My colleagues at the Department of Gender Studies have provided consistent feedback and friendship throughout this process. My conversations with Aura Lehtonen about theory, politics, and life have shaped my thinking — thank you for your generosity in sharing this journey with me. Billy Holzberg has been a wonderful intellectual support and confidant at countless points over the years. And while we are occasionally confused as one and the same, Ilana Eloit brings a passion and criticality to her work that I would be very lucky to share. Together, you are three people I cannot imagine these last years without. Dr. Jacob Breslow and Dr. Emma Spruce have been comforting and inspiring colleagues who have helped me to shape the kind of teacher I would like to be. Louisa Acciari, Jenny Chanfreau, Dr. Marina Franchi, Miha Fugina, Julia Hartviksen, Aiko Holviki, Magdalena Mikulak, Dr. Amanda Shaw, Lindsay Simmonds, Priya Raghavan, Hannah Wright and the ever-growing cohort of researchers at the department have made it the collegial and encouraging place it is to work. Thank you also to Tomás Ojeda for some lovely chats in the very last stages of this project. Many thanks also go to the Masters students at the Department of Gender Studies who I have had the privilege of teaching and learning from. This PhD was generously supported by a London School of Economics and Political Science studentship. 4 I am indebted to my undergraduate supervisor at the Australian National University, Associate Professor David Bissell, for the friendship and encouragement that shaped both the theoretical and practical course my work has taken. My year learning from Dr. Nirmal Puwar at Goldsmiths, University of London, was essential to my pursuing this degree in Gender. Too often unexpressed gratitude goes to the unwavering foundation provided by my parents Robyn and Ian, and sister Adrienne — thank you for sheltering me from all that it took to sustain that foundation and for forgiving me for all that I have missed. Thank you also for encouraging your 7-year-old to be a writer and for reading all her earliest ‘publications’. Didem Incegoz, Phil Thomas, Lucie Mercier, Jonathan Roux, and Matt Mahon have shared in the day to day of getting by in a city that we have together made a home. Your presence has provided an intimate and intellectual community which has sustained me throughout this PhD. Thanks also goes to my ‘neighbour’ Annette Behrens for dedicated discussions and appreciated distractions, and Renee Miller- Yeaman who dropped by annually for the most restorative thesis complaint sessions. Sebastian Sporn has been a dedicated friend throughout this process — thank you for the countless sessions of wine-soaked psychoanalysis, interest, and laughter. The rest of the ‘LP lot’ — Nelsy Casallas, Miriam Kappel, Jordan Naylor and Christopher Arden — thank you for filling my non-PhD life in London with an unexpected amount of joy. Lydia Randall, Kate Stevens, Anna Miller-Yeaman, and Eloise Boyd — through different time zones and changing lives — remind me every day that I am fortunate for having known the most supportive of friendships. While Frances Glavimans will no doubt remind me of her centrality to my progression — as in every case, here it remains true. Thank you for believing in me, always being on the other end of the phone despite all that I miss, and for knowing exactly the words and songs that were needed over the many challenging points throughout this thesis. And finally, to Holly Chung. You might joke that you didn’t apply for the several PhD’s you have ended up enduring, but have offered me the belief, daily care, laughter, and gentle perspective which has been essential to my getting through this one. It is unlikely I will ever find words to express all that I learn from your compassion, vulnerability, strength, and courage. This thesis was completed because of your love, as is everything we build together. 5 Table of Contents ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................... 4 THE DISCURSIVE AND AFFECTIVE WORK OF VULNERABILITY IN UK AUSTERITY ................. 8 VULNERABILITY FOR FEMINIST THEORY ........................................................................... 12 KEY INTERVENTIONS OF THIS THESIS ............................................................................... 16 An affective politics of
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