Power Governing the Self Governing Others We are

Power Governing the Self, Governing Others

• We are always located inside of power relations. Power shapes our field of vision; what we can see, think, and do. • Power signals the existence of an enormous range of social beliefs, discourses, and practices. • However, usually we are only aware of power when it involves coercion.

Power involves • The ability of a person, group, organization, discourse, etc. to impose a definition of a situation, and shape how that situation is to be understood and discussed. • Power usually produces ideals. • Power can shape morality.

Three main approaches to power • Liberal political theory • Marxist political theory • Foucault’s postmodern approach

• • • Modernism Postmodernism Panoptic power Power-Knowledge Techniques of power Sovereign power Disciplinary power Biopower Normalization Normalizing power

Power Is • Productive (ie. It produces new identities, beliefs, etc. ) • Technical (Techniques of power are essential to the flow of power) • It can have a positive (ie. Producing healthier people) as well as a negative character. • Power is most effective when it involves ‘freedom’ (ie. To make ‘choices’) • Power comes from everywhere, because it is everywhere.

Foucault and the History of Sexuality • Foucault’s challenge to the ‘repressive hypothesis’ • The production of discourses about sexuality (ie. health, legal, religious, scientific) • The production of distinct sexual identities • The government of the self