Title
Biopolitics : An Advanced Introduction / Thomas Lemke.
ISBN
9780814753378
Published
New York, NY : : New York University Press, [2011]
Copyright
©2011
Language
English
Language Note
In English.
Description
1 online resource
Item Number
10.18574/nyu/9780814753378.001.0001 doi
Dewey Decimal Classification
320.01
Summary
The biological features of human beings are now measured, observed, and understood in ways never before thought possible, defining norms, establishing standards, and determining average values of human life. While the notion of "biopolitics" has been linked to everything from rational decision-making and the democratic organization of social life to eugenics and racism, Thomas Lemke offers the very first systematic overview of the history of the notion of biopolitics, exploring its relevance in contemporary theoretical debates and providing a much needed primer on the topic. Lemke explains that life has become an independent, objective and measurable factor as well as a collective reality that can be separated from concrete living beings and the singularity of individual experience. He shows how our understanding of the processes of life, the organizing of populations and the need to "govern" individuals and collectives lead to practices of correction, exclusion, normalization, and disciplining. In this lucidly written book, Lemke outlines the stakes and the debates surrounding biopolitics, providing a systematic overview of the history of the notion and making clear its relevance for sociological and contemporary theoretical debates.
Access Note
Access limited to authorized users.
System Details Note
Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web.
Digital File Characteristics
text file PDF
Source of Description
Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 18. Sep 2023)
Series
Biopolitics ; ; 5
Available in Other Form
print 9780814752418
Frontmatter
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
1. Life as the Basis of Politics
2. Life as an Object of Politics
3. The Government of Living Beings: Michel Foucault
4. Sovereign Power and Bare Life: Giorgio Agamben
5. Capitalism and the Living Multitude: Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri
6. The Disappearance and Transformation of Politics
7. The End and Reinvention of Nature
8. Vital Politics and Bioeconomy
9. Prospect: An Analytics of Biopolitics
Notes
References
Index
About the Author
