Foucault and Political Reason: Liberalism, Neo-Liberalism, and Rationalities of Government (Hardcover)

by Andrew Barry (Editor), Thomas Osborne (Editor), Nikolas Rose (Editor) "The essays in this book propose some new ways of anatomizing political reason, ways that may operate upon and through history, but which do so..." (more)
Key Phrases: urban sumptuary law, sanitary discourse, governmental techniques, New York, Cambridge University Press, California Task Force (more...)

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Product Description

Despite the enormous influence of Michel Foucault in gender studies, social theory, and cultural studies, his work has been relatively neglected in the study of politics. Although he never published a book on the state, in the late 1970s Foucault examined the technologies of power used to regulate society and the ingenious recasting of power and agency that he saw as both consequence and condition of their operation.

These twelve essays provide a critical introduction to Foucault's work on politics, exploring its relevance to past and current thinking about liberal and neo-liberal forms of government. Moving away from the great texts of liberal political philosophy, this book looks closely at the technical means with which the ideals of liberal political rationalities have been put into practice in such areas as schools, welfare, and the insurance industry.

This fresh approach to one of the seminal thinkers of the twentieth century is essential reading for anyone interested in social and cultural theory, sociology, and politics.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226038254
• ISBN-13: 978-0226038254
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,509,154 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Another book on Foucault? Yes, but this one is different..., April 1, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Foucault and Political Reason: Liberalism, Neo-Liberalism, and Rationalities of Government (Paperback)

One would think that the last thing the world needs is another book about Michel Foucault. With much relief, I discovered that this collection of essays is not simply another exegesis of the late philosopher's work but instead focuses rather specifically on his implied political theory. This volume seeks to introduce the reader to several political themes running through Foucault's writings and to offer "an analysis of political reason itself, of the mentalities of politics that have shaped our present, the devices invented to give effect to rule, and the ways that these have impacted upon those who have been the subjects of these practices of government" (p.2). This is ambitious agenda, and, on balance, the book succeeds well, despite some of its jargon and abstractions. The focus of the twelve chapters is the "ethical" and "technical" character of liberalism and neo-liberalism as a form of governing. The chapters are a mix of more or less accessible and relevant theoretical papers and ones addressing particular topics such as schooling, urban government, the insurance industry, and forms of communication technologies