ABSTRACT
Does political economy influence the rate of occurrence of schizophrenia? Could industrialization, migration, social class and caste, or the factors governing production and reproduction determine how many people develop the vulnerability to schizophrenia? Could labor conditions, unemployment and other socioeconomic stresses trigger the onset of the disorder? Up to this point we have concentrated upon the course of schizophrenia-recovery from the illness and the level of functioning achieved by chronic sufferers. The course of schizophrenia, it has been argued, is strongly influenced by the utilization of labor, a factor that affects the social role, status and integration of people suffering from psychosis. At this juncture it may be valuable to make a diversion and to examine the frequency of occurrence of the illness and the extent to which it is affected by social, political and economic factors. We will also examine what efforts to prevent schizophrenia are likely to be effective and safe.
