Abstract

This chapter assesses Franco Basaglia’s enduring influence in France by focusing on the circulation of concepts and practices and their effects on French mental health policies and scattered experimentation. Despite similar origins, Basaglia’s early work contrasts with the Second World War movement of French psychiatric reformers to humanize the asylum, including through ‘psychothérapie institutionnelle’ and the subsequent development of a sectorization policy. The chapter then examines the extent to which Basaglia’s ideas took ground in France through the efforts of a small network of psychiatric practitioners and intellectuals, within roughly three periods: 1960–1980, 1980–2000, and 2000 to the present. In conclusion, the chapter asks what might explain the French paradox: the early receptivity to Basaglia’s politically-oriented, community-based, anti-institutional practice, on the one hand; and a tenacious hospital-centric psychiatric system and increased use of constraints and high-security confinement, on the other.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.