Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2000 16:24:45 -0500
From: Mark Oldfield <MarkOldfield-AT-compuserve.com>
Subject: Foucault and Drug treatment


I think that you can also usefully construe the workings of enforced drug
treatment by using Foucault's notion of 'governmentality' - studying the
way that individuals are 'governed' by particular instances and
configurations of authority.

There's also an interesting mix of power and welfare - in that the
individual can be compelled to do something for his/her own good (on the
basis of having his/her interests defined by someone else). Compare this
with the way 'welfare' was to be delivered (offered) as part of the rights
of citizenship only a couple of decades ago and you see an interesting
development - maybe. 'Post welfare' welfare perhaps?