ABSTRACT
The distinction between productive and repressive power is usually taken for granted within a Foucauldian tradition. In the introductory chapter, the tacit assumptions were disentangled from historical narratives and made explicit in eight basic propositions reflecting Foucault’s own as well as later work within the tradition. To what extent does that conceptualization of productive and repressive power need to be modified? Based on the case studies, four of the eight assumptions, (P3-P4) and (R1-R2), must be changed in order to account for the complexity of both forms of power. There are, however, no reasons to revise the other four assumptions, (P1-P2) and (R3-R4). In Table 5.1, the italicized text indicates what will be modified.
