The chapter "The Politics of Disablement" by Michael Oliver, a Reader in Disability Studies at Thames Polytechnic, addresses the marginalization of disability within academic disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and history. Oliver argues that disability is often treated as a medical or psychological issue, neglecting its broader social and cultural dimensions. He emphasizes the need for a "social theory of disability" that integrates perspectives from sociology, anthropology, history, politics, and social administration to provide a more comprehensive understanding of disability. The introduction outlines the book's main themes, including the individualization and medicalization of disability in capitalist society, the role of ideology, and the political participation of disabled people. Oliver discusses the importance of defining disability and the challenges of creating a coherent framework for understanding disability across different societies. He also addresses the limitations of using terms like "people with disabilities" and the need to include all forms of disability in the definition of "disabled people." The chapter concludes with disclaimers about the use of language, the scope of the term "disabled people," and the context of capitalist society. Oliver aims to write a book that is accessible to both academics and disabled people, fostering a theoretically informed understanding of disability in society.The chapter "The Politics of Disablement" by Michael Oliver, a Reader in Disability Studies at Thames Polytechnic, addresses the marginalization of disability within academic disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and history. Oliver argues that disability is often treated as a medical or psychological issue, neglecting its broader social and cultural dimensions. He emphasizes the need for a "social theory of disability" that integrates perspectives from sociology, anthropology, history, politics, and social administration to provide a more comprehensive understanding of disability. The introduction outlines the book's main themes, including the individualization and medicalization of disability in capitalist society, the role of ideology, and the political participation of disabled people. Oliver discusses the importance of defining disability and the challenges of creating a coherent framework for understanding disability across different societies. He also addresses the limitations of using terms like "people with disabilities" and the need to include all forms of disability in the definition of "disabled people." The chapter concludes with disclaimers about the use of language, the scope of the term "disabled people," and the context of capitalist society. Oliver aims to write a book that is accessible to both academics and disabled people, fostering a theoretically informed understanding of disability in society.