Foucault and Modern Political Philosophy

Abstract

The last half of the 20th century has witnessed the globalization of the economy, the weakening of the nation-state, the erosion of the welfare state, greater interconnections between science & the state, intensified administrative control, the demise of the political life, the end of imperialism, & the appearance of new social movements, which together have produced a new form of politics. Michel Foucault's analysis of the micropower, disciplinary dimensions of politics, & the close connection between knowledge & power make signal contributions in this context, because they are targeted precisely at the question of how disciplinary powers become legitimate. Moreover, Foucault's conception of government as the capacity to conduct is a more useful tool for investigating the modern condition than any other tool that the social sciences have produced. It is conceded that Foucault's notion of the ethical life as a work on the self is not very helpful, but if this conclusion seems muddled, it is only because the contemporary moment itself is muddled on the possibilities of individuality in the late 20th century. D. Ryfe