Governmentality
Power and Rule in Modern Society
- Mitchell Dean - Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
- Nikolas Rose, Goldsmiths, Praise for the First Edition
Originally published in 1999 this exceptionally clear and lucid book quickly became the standard overview of what are now called 'governmentality studies'.
With its emphasis on the relationship between governmentality and other key concepts drawn from Michel Foucault, such as bio-politics and sovereignty, the first edition anticipated and defined the terms of contemporary debate and analysis. In this timely second edition Mitchell Dean engages with the full textual basis of Foucault's lectures and once again provides invaluable insights into the traditions, methods and theories of political power identifying the authoritarian as well as liberal sides of governmentality.
Every chapter has been fully revised and updated to incorporate, and respond to, new theoretical, social and political developments in the field; a new introduction surveying the state of governmentality today has also been added as well as a completely new chapter on international governmentality.
a fantastic read for anyone who is researching ideas on power and governmentality. a very easy and understandable chapters that lead the student to overall issues.
Dean's elaboration of governmentality is another valuable attempt to provide alternative views to mainstream global governance research. It stands on wellknown premises of critical and postmodern theory but manages to sketch the contours of new avenues. Curious and more advanced students of international relations and global governance definitely profit from a thorough investigation.
Too advanced for undergrad
The book really is great and I recommend it to anyone who struggles with the possibility of being free and governed at the same time. What I think is not sufficiently explained (especially, there are not enough examples) is how power can be asubjective and intentional at the same time.
Thank you for sending me this very interesting and challenging book. Challenging because it deals with some of the most complicated and hard to - both to understand and to explain - concepts in social sciences - Government and Governmentality. It does so from the position of French philosopher M. Foucault, but the Author (M. Dean) added it own rich knowledge and intuition and created very informative, modern and original work.
Not many authors managed to talk about "big" concept with such clarity and, for me, that is one of the best points of this book. It is appropriate for students as well as academics and also for those that are not so involved in Foucault's work. In the same time it is quite demanding with so many references and notions and explanations. That is why I would recommend reading it slowly - chapter by chapter.
The subject it covers is interesting both to sociologists, philosophers, historians as well as political scientists, to mention just some.
Since this is second edition it has been expanded with new Introduction, Postscript and chapter International Governmentality, but it is obvious that the relationship between Individuals and Government is still in the very center of social sciences so this second edition is very current as the first one in 1999.
Excellent introduction to this body of knowledge
Intriguing commentary. Adds more ideas to current debates. Well-worth a read.
Excellent background reading in relation to social policy, the role of the welfare state, and care and control debates.
The book covers a topic very relevant to sustainability science. This topic - i.e. governance and governmentality - is treated in a very comprehensive way; many specific aspects are addressed that become especially relevant in interdisciplinary human ecology & sustainability science (like, e.g. risk and reflexive governance); moreover, literature from various national contexts is considered. Hence, I do strongly recommend the book to all students that aim at covering transdisciplinary issues within a sustainable development. I recommend it as supplemental reading to biology students, because the conceptual territory covered does pose a challenge to students with a natural science background.
It's great to have such a comprehensive volume on this subject
New to this Second Edition.
• Every chapter has been fully revised and updated - with over 20% new material
• A new introduction surveying the state of governmentality today
• A completely new chapter on international governmentality
• A new Postscript.
