From Understanding Foucault:
"In other words, while the ideals of the Enlightenment (justice, liberty, equality, reason) were supposed to reform society (in areas such a prisons, education and health), what actually happened was that a set of disciplinary techniques, quite different from Enlightenment ideals, virtually took over the running of institutions (the army, schools, hospitals), and organized the way in which power operated in society." (p.66)
"In a sense, the Enlightenment project of evacuating the place of power (because power no longer belonged to, nor could be associated with anyone) can also by understood as an invitation to power to conceal itself." (p. 67)
After reading the chapter, "Relations of Power" I am left wondering if I agree with Foucault or not...do I really agree that the place of power is evacuated- that power belongs to no-one?
I don't know...part of me agrees that power is a fickle thing...but it seems to reside with certain people or certain positions...at least for periods of time...to me it makes more sense that power is no longer assumed because of a claim to it (i.e. the King claims power as a divine privilege)...but certain people do seem to have it...and in a concealed fashion...I mean our text uses Rupert Murdoch as an example of this type of power...talk about concealed...most people don't know he is the media mogul that he is (I own OutFoxed...maybe we should get together and watch it).
I don't know what to think about this concealed power...power gone underground.
Furthermore, if the Enlightenment project failed (or at least didn't fully succeed) how am I to understand what has become of "democratic" ideals...
Hi Patty,
ReplyDeleteI think the next chapter in the Foucault reader will contend with some of your questions, especially in its discussion of liberalism. I think you're not saying that you believe that an ideal of "democracy" has been achieved? Think of it this way. They wouldn't have needed a Mayflower Compact if there hadn't been grumbling on the boat over. Of course, the compact favored English men of a certain class who were also considered natural leaders of a more democratic society. I think Foucault would say that these terms gain currency because of the power struggles that produce them. So if truth and knowledge are always constructions of power battles, they serve to conceal dominating powers. We'll discuss!