Hi,
In the geographical discipline there is a long tradition of discussing Foucault's work; Driver's (1985) paper on D+P is an early marker. These discussions have not just focused on how Foucault discussed space, but also how a Foucauldian inspired epistemology would influence geographical study; from the role of discourse and power-knowledge in previously more positivistic elements of the discipline, to what a general or total historical geography would look like, to how subjectivisation and performativity must impact on our considerations of cultural geographies. In terms of discussion of Foucault's work itself, due attention has been paid to his consideration of space as an active agent in subject formation, not just through disciplinary institutions, but also through the government of territory (Hannah, 2000) or the conditioning milieus of security mechanisms. In terms of criticisms, a Foucauldian approach can lead to an over-emphasis on the microphysics of space (Foucault as the "geometer of power") and a lack of attention to the intricacies of local place (Philo, 1992). These criticism are inline with discussions of resistance and the messy actuality of rule that have been articulated elsewhere (O'Malley, 1996, , O'Malley, Weir and Shearing, 1997). Elden and Crampton's (in press 2007) forthcoming book should cover a lot of this?
Steve
Crampton, J. and Elden, S. (Eds.) (in press 2007) Space, Knowledge, and Power: Foucault and Geography, Ashgate, Aldershot.
Driver, F. (1985) Power, Space, and the Body - a Critical-Assessment of Foucault's Discipline and Punish Environment and Planning D-Society & Space 3, 425-446.
Hannah, M. (2000) Governmentality and the mastery of territory in nineteenth- century America. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge
O'Malley, P. (1996) Indigenous governance Economy and Society 25, 310-326.
O'Malley, P., Weir, L. and Shearing, C. (1997) Governmentality, criticism, politics Economy and Society 26, 501-517.
Philo, C. (1992) Foucault's geography Environment and Planning D-Society & Space 10, 137-161.
In the geographical discipline there is a long tradition of discussing Foucault's work; Driver's (1985) paper on D+P is an early marker. These discussions have not just focused on how Foucault discussed space, but also how a Foucauldian inspired epistemology would influence geographical study; from the role of discourse and power-knowledge in previously more positivistic elements of the discipline, to what a general or total historical geography would look like, to how subjectivisation and performativity must impact on our considerations of cultural geographies. In terms of discussion of Foucault's work itself, due attention has been paid to his consideration of space as an active agent in subject formation, not just through disciplinary institutions, but also through the government of territory (Hannah, 2000) or the conditioning milieus of security mechanisms. In terms of criticisms, a Foucauldian approach can lead to an over-emphasis on the microphysics of space (Foucault as the "geometer of power") and a lack of attention to the intricacies of local place (Philo, 1992). These criticism are inline with discussions of resistance and the messy actuality of rule that have been articulated elsewhere (O'Malley, 1996, , O'Malley, Weir and Shearing, 1997). Elden and Crampton's (in press 2007) forthcoming book should cover a lot of this?
Steve
Crampton, J. and Elden, S. (Eds.) (in press 2007) Space, Knowledge, and Power: Foucault and Geography, Ashgate, Aldershot.
Driver, F. (1985) Power, Space, and the Body - a Critical-Assessment of Foucault's Discipline and Punish Environment and Planning D-Society & Space 3, 425-446.
Hannah, M. (2000) Governmentality and the mastery of territory in nineteenth- century America. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge
O'Malley, P. (1996) Indigenous governance Economy and Society 25, 310-326.
O'Malley, P., Weir, L. and Shearing, C. (1997) Governmentality, criticism, politics Economy and Society 26, 501-517.
Philo, C. (1992) Foucault's geography Environment and Planning D-Society & Space 10, 137-161.