Post-Foucauldian governmentality: what does it offer critical social policy analysis?

McKee, K. (2009) Post-Foucauldian governmentality: what does it offer critical social policy analysis? Critical Social Policy, 29(3), pp. 465-486. (doi: 10.1177/0261018309105180)

Abstract

This article considers the theoretical perspective of post-Foucauldian governmentality, especially the insights and challenges it poses for applied researchers within the critical social policy tradition. The article firstly examines the analytical strengths of this approach to understanding power and rule in contemporary society, before moving on to consider its limitations for social policy. It concludes by arguing that these insights can be retained, and some of the weaknesses overcome, by adopting a ‘realist governmentality’ approach (Stenson 2005, 2008). This advocates combining traditional discursive analysis with more ethnographic methods in order to render visible the concrete activity of governing, and unravel the messiness, complexity and unintended consequences involved in the struggles around subjectivity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Ethnography, Foucault, governing, governmentality, power, resistance.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McKee, Dr Kimberly
• Authors: McKee, K.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform; J Political Science > JC Political theory; H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Critical Social Policy
• Publisher: Sage
• ISSN: 0261-0183
• ISSN (Online): 1461-703X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2009 Sage
• First Published: First published in Critical Social Policy 29(3):465-486
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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