Foucault and Politics. A Critical Introduction (2014)

Mark G. E. Kelly, Foucault and Politics. A Critical Introduction, Edinburgh University Press, Nov 2014

A clear and critical account of Foucault’s political thought: what he said, how it’s been used and its influence today

This book surveys Michel Foucault’s thought in the context of his life and times, utilising the latest primary and secondary materials to explain the political implications of each phase of his work and the relationships between each phase. It also illustrates how his thought has been used in the political sphere and examines the importance of his work for politics today.

One of the most prominent theorists in the contemporary humanities and social sciences, Foucault is known as a radical thinker who disturbs our understanding of society. He also presented a moving target, continually changing his concerns and his apparent position. So, until now, comparatively little attention has been given to his politics.

Key Features

Engages with Foucault’s entire corpus, from his first works right up to his posthumously published Collège de France lectures and the unabridged version of the History of Madness
Looks at the theoretical reception of Foucault’s thought and how it has been applied to real-world problems
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