Foucault and Politics: A Critical Introduction (Thinking Politics) - Softcover

Mark G. E. Kelly

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0748676864 ISBN 13: 9780748676866

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 2014

Synopsis

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
• Student-friendly text boxes highlight and explain key ideas

Find Out More

• Read and download the introduction for free (pdf)

About this title

About the Author

Mark G. E. Kelly is Senior Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts and ARC Future Fellow at the University of Western Sydney.

From the Inside Flap

A clear and critical account of the political dimension of Foucault s thought and its relation to real politicsOne of the most prominent theorists in the contemporary humanities and social sciences, Michel Foucault is known as a radical thinker who disturbs our understanding of society. Yet until now comparatively little attention has been given to his politics, not least because he presented a moving target, continually changing his concerns and his apparent position.This book surveys 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.Key Features Examines the relationship between Foucault s thought and politics Overviews the political reception of Foucault's thought Thoroughly assesses Foucault's thought and the political uses to which it has been put Uses text boxes to highlight and explain key ideasMark G. Kelly is the author of The Political Philosophy of Michel Foucault (2008) and Foucault s History of Sexuality Volume I, The Will to Knowledge (Edinburgh University Press, 2013). He is Senior Lecturer at the University of western Sydney.

Edition details

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0748676864
• ISBN 13: 9780748676866
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208