George Fielding Eliot on Draper

chase.” In fearlessly describing the real workings of the criminal law, in its modern, bureaucratized and psychiatrized form, Blumberg tells us certain things many people know but few care to acknowledge. This is necessary for responsible social criticism. “But again and again there comes a time in history,” says Camus, “when the man who dares to say that two and two make four is punished with death.” Blumberg dares to say that often defense lawyers do not defend their clients, nor forensic psychiatrists protect their “patients.” The upshot is an outstanding critical analysis of the subversion of the Rule of Law by the Rule of Psychiatry.

In a way, Goldstein and Blumberg are like climbers inspecting the same valley from opposing mountain tops. Goldstein’s perspective is that of the maker and enforcer of rules—that is, of the legislator, judge, and psychiatrist. Blumberg’s is that of the person affected by rules—that is, of the individual charged with crime or incriminated by mental illness. Goldstein sees the State as a protector— paternalistic, to be sure, but “helpful.” Blumberg sees the individual as a victim—robbed of the opportunity to defend himself against an adversary, the State, which does not have the decency to admit being an opponent.

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chase.” In fearlessly describing the real workings of the criminal law, in its modern, bureaucratized and psychiatrized form, Blumberg tells us certain things many people know but few care to acknowledge. This is necessary for responsible social criticism. “But again and again there comes a time in history,” says Camus, “when the man who dares to say that two and two make four is punished with death.” Blumberg dares to say that often defense lawyers do not defend their clients, nor forensic psychiatrists protect their “patients.” The upshot is an outstanding critical analysis of the subversion of the Rule of Law by the Rule of Psychiatry.

In a way, Goldstein and Blumberg are like climbers inspecting the same valley from opposing mountain tops. Goldstein’s perspective is that of the maker and enforcer of rules—that is, of the legislator, judge, and psychiatrist. Blumberg’s is that of the person affected by rules—that is, of the individual charged with crime or incriminated by mental illness. Goldstein sees the State as a protector— paternalistic, to be sure, but “helpful.” Blumberg sees the individual as a victim—robbed of the opportunity to defend himself against an adversary, the State, which does not have the decency to admit being an opponent.