"Psychiatry can help people to be both "free from" and "free to." It can free persons from social, physical, and psychological oppression, and can assist people to be free to flourish and to lead self-directed lives. Furthermore, because social realities impact on mental well-being, psychiatry has a critical role to play in social struggles that further liberation. These are the basic foundations of liberatory psychiatry." "This book confronts the psychological impact of these changes, and presents new ideas to help develop the liberatory potential of psychiatry. This book should be read by mental health practitioners from the widest range of disciplines and those interested in social theory, philosophy, and political science."--Jacket.