Who among the following argued that 'Power is repressive'?

The correct answer is - Foucault

Key Points

• Foucault
  • Michel Foucault was a French philosopher known for his critical studies of social institutions.
  • He argued that power is not merely oppressive but also productive.
  • Foucault's concept of power includes the notion that it shapes and constructs knowledge and reality.
  • He examined how power operates within various societal structures such as prisons, hospitals, and schools.
  • His works like "Discipline and Punish" and "The History of Sexuality" explore these themes in depth.

Additional Information

• Power and Knowledge
  • Foucault introduced the idea of the power-knowledge relationship, where power is involved in the establishment of knowledge.
  • He argued that knowledge is not neutral and is influenced by power dynamics within society.
  • Institutions and societal norms utilize power to enforce knowledge and truths.
• Disciplinary Power
  • Foucault's concept of disciplinary power highlights how individuals are controlled through subtle means of surveillance and normalization.
  • He analyzed how disciplinary mechanisms are used to monitor and shape behavior in social institutions.
  • This form of power is internalized by individuals, leading to self-regulation and conformity.
• Biopower
  • Foucault's later work introduced the concept of biopower, which refers to the regulation of populations through governmental policies and social norms.
  • Biopower encompasses practices that manage and control life, such as public health, reproductive policies, and demographic monitoring.
  • It contrasts with disciplinary power by focusing on the collective rather than the individual.