Michel Foucault and liberal intelligence

• Published in: Economy and society 2008-02, Vol.37 (1), p.115-134
• Main Author: Donzelot, Jacques
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Constitutions; Europe; European Union; Foucault, Michel; Government; History and organization of sociology; History and present state; History, theory and methodology; Intelligence; Knowledge; Liberalism; Power; Sociology
• ISSN: 0308-5147; 1469-5766
• DOI: 10.1080/03085140701760908

Explores the relevance of Michel Foucault's thinking for debates in France about the relationship between economic liberalism & politics that were precipitated by the recent referendum on the European Constitution. Lecture courses delivered by Foucault in 1978 & 1979 are examined to show that he saw liberalism as a way of thinking about government rather than as a roadblock to the republican art of government. The first lecture series entitled, Security, territory, population, presents Foucault's analysis of the birth of liberalism. The second series, The birth of biopolitics, focuses on the mid-20th century renewal of liberalism. Emphasis is placed on the topicality of Foucault's analysis for the present context, especially his argument that the power of the economy rested on an economy of power, both when liberalism first emerged at the end of the 18th century, & during the period of neo-liberalism in 1930-1950. The implications of Foucault's methodological linkage of liberalism & politics are discussed in relation to the proposed European Constitution & the general distrust of liberalism in France. References. J. Lindroth