Biopolitics: An Advanced Introduction (Biopolitics: Medicine, Technoscience, and Health in the 21st Century)

The first systematic overview of the notion of biopolitics and its relevance in contemporary theoretical debate 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. 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 Bio-politics 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 Bio-politics, 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 Bio-politics, Providing A Systematic Overview Of The History Of The Notion And Making Clear Its Relevance For Sociological And Contemporary Theoretical Debates.--publisher Description. Machine Generated Contents Note: 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. Thomas Lemke ; Translated By Eric Frederick Trump. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

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.

Contents......Page 6 Foreword......Page 8 Preface......Page 12 Introduction......Page 16 1 Life as the Basis of Politics......Page 24 2 Life as an Object of Politics......Page 38 3 The Government of Living Beings: Michel Foucault......Page 48 4 Sovereign Power and Bare Life: Giorgio Agamben......Page 68 5 Capitalism and the Living Multitude: Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri......Page 80 6 The Disappearance and Transformation of Politics......Page 92 7 The End and Reinvention of Nature......Page 108 8 Vital Politics and Bioeconomy......Page 120 9 Prospect: An Analytics of Biopolitics......Page 132 Notes......Page 140 References......Page 144 B......Page 154 G......Page 155 M......Page 156 P......Page 157 T......Page 158 Z......Page 159 About the Author......Page 160 ISBN,9780814752418,(cloth,:,alk.,paper),—,ISBN,9780814752425,(pbk.,:,alk.,paper),—,ISBN,9780814752999,(e-book) New York University Press