Jean Bodin and Biopolitics Before the Biopolitical Era

Jean Bodin's political thought combines Foucauldian genealogy with political theory and intellectual history to argue that biopolitics is not an explicitly modern occurrence, challenging Michel Foucault's presumption.

Format: Hardback
Length: 162 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Jean Bodin's political thought serves as a notable illustration of early modern biopolitics, demonstrating that the two technologies can coexist while preserving their conceptual differentiation. The author integrates Foucauldian genealogy with political theory and intellectual history to contend that Michel Foucault's assertion that biopolitics is a solely modern phenomenon is erroneous.

Jean Bodin's political thought is a valuable contribution to the study of early modern biopolitics. By examining Bodin's work, we can see how the two technologies of government and biopolitics coexisted in the early modern period. Bodin recognized the importance of both government and biology in shaping human behavior and society. He argued that government was necessary to maintain order and stability, while biology was essential for the development and well-being of individuals.

However, Bodin also recognized the potential conflicts and tensions between the two technologies. He argued that government could be used to control and manipulate biological processes, such as population growth and disease. At the same time, biopolitics could be used to promote certain biological traits or characteristics, such as intelligence or physical strength.

Bodin's political thought provides a useful framework for understanding how the two technologies of government and biopolitics coexisted in the early modern period. It highlights the importance of recognizing the potential conflicts and tensions between the two technologies and the need to ensure that they are used in a responsible and ethical manner.

In conclusion, Jean Bodin's political thought is a valuable contribution to the study of early modern biopolitics. By examining Bodin's work, we can see how the two technologies of government and biopolitics coexisted in the early modern period and the potential conflicts and tensions between the two technologies. Bodin's political thought provides a useful framework for understanding how these two technologies can be used in a responsible and ethical manner.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032490281