Michel Foucault and the coloniality of power. Issue 3 (4th May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Castro-Gómez, Santiago; Kopsick, Kyle; Golding, David
• Is Part Of: Cultural studies. Volume 37:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: 444
• Page End: 460
• Publication Date: 2023-05-04
• Subjects: Coloniality -- biopolitics -- hierarchy -- heterarchy -- world-system -- Foucault; Culture -- Periodicals; Popular culture -- Periodicals; 306
• DOI: 10.1080/09502386.2021.2004435
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-2386

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Contrary to most postcolonial approaches that focus on modernity/coloniality, this article argues for the relevance of heterarchical theories of power. In his lectures at Collège de France, Foucault shifts from a microphysical and corpopolitical analytic of power towards a biopolitical analytic of power. This shift in Foucault's focus is analyzed through Quijano and Wallerstein's theorization of the modern/colonial world system. In doing so, this paper details the ways in which corpopolitics, biopolitics, and geopolitics operate on the micro-, meso- and macro-levels of power, respectively. Further decolonial research should give deeper consideration to heterarchical theories of power, particularly as they relate to multiple temporalities within the modern/colonial world system.