Biopolitics

Our understanding of the biology of humans has advanced greatly, allowing us to define norms, establish standards, and determine average values of human life. The idea of "bio-politics" has been associated with everything from rational decision-making and democratic organization of social life to eugenics and racism. However, Thomas Lemke offers the first systematic overview of the history of bio-politics, exploring its relevance in contemporary theoretical debates and providing a much-needed introduction to the topic.

According to Lemke, life has become an objective and measurable factor, separate from individual experience. Our understanding of life processes and the need to govern populations has led to practices of correction, exclusion, normalization, and disciplining. In this book, Lemke explains the stakes and debates surrounding bio-politics, providing a clear history of the notion and outlining its relevance for sociological and contemporary theoretical debates.

作者简介

ThomasLemkeisProfessorofSociologyattheFacultyofSocialSciencesatGoetheUniversityFrankfurt.HeisauthorofACritiqueofPoliticalReason:Foucault’sAnalysisofModernGovernmentalityandco-authorofBiopolitics:AnAdvancedIntroduction.MonicaJ.CasperisProfessorofGenderandWomen’sStudiesandanaffiliatedfacultymemberintheSchoolofSociologyandt...