ABSTRACT

In this fi rst chapter, we look at the background to Foucault’s development of a radically new understanding of politico-social power. This background comprises Foucault’s work up to the point where he turns his attention towards power. This work happens not only to provide the background in a chronological sense, however, but also grounds Foucault’s later work by furnishing its epistemological and methodological foundations. Insofar as Foucault did epistemological/methodological work later in his life, this is also dealt with here, at the end of the chapter, despite being out of the generally chronological order of our study.