A Critique on Western Liberalism

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Michel Foucault's extended genealogy of governmental systems. It specifically explains how, according to Foucault, the judicial system in the United States was transformed into a different system during the "modern" era because of its extension into the social sphere and its change in the concept of discipline. The paper examines how the changes occurred.

Table of Contents:
Foucault's Genealogy on the History of Discipline
Walzer's Critique of Foucault
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Foucault's interpretation and explanation of the genealogy of the power structures of the state seem to make historical and progressive sense. It is easy to see how Discipline has transgressed from the Judicial areas of the state into the community, and how there is no "free space," as Mills puts it, in society anymore. Foucault's interpretation, as I have shown, obviously thinks of this as a bad progression and a backward step in the tradition of the western liberals. I agree. But I could also visualize the argument that this homogeneity is what democracy is all about (clearly, if it is, I don't want any part of it). Walzer did not adequately answer the problems Foucault proposed, but even in his attempt, I think we learn something about the state: how can you limit Discipline so that it doesn't encroach as a power-structure in the social field? Perhaps this is why scholars have called Foucault an anarchist, because the only seemingly possible way for this to happen is if there is no government. Walzer took the next best shot, however, at a pluralistic democracy. Constable does an excellent job of pointing out Walzer's missing pieces, but again we are still left with no real alternative as to how bio-power cannot exist under/within a state."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Foucault, The History of Sexuality Vol. 1 (trans. Hurley, London: Penguin 1978), p. 87.
• Deleuze and Guattari, A Thousand Plateaus (trans. Massumi) (London: Athlone, 1988), p. 431-2.
• Foucault, 'Governmentality' in Burchell, Gordon and Miller (eds), The Foucault Effect: Studies in Governmentality (Hemel Hempstead: Harvester/Wheatsheaf, 1991), p. 92.
• Foucault, Discipline and Punishment, (trans Sheridan) (London: Penguin, 1979), p. 211.
• Tadros, "Between Governance and Discipline," Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, Vol. 18, No. 1 (Spring, 1998), pp. 94-5.

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