ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses about Foucault who has inspired a variety of disciplines and fields of knowledge ranging from political science, sociology, media studies, gender studies, and criminology to postcolonial studies. Foucault offers a retrospective systematization of his theoretical work. The reason why Foucault's work has attracted an enormous amount of interest across disciplinary boundaries is the impressive thematic range of his research areas. It analyzes the methodological and theoretical implications of the genealogy of the modern state and highlights important aspects of the dynamic interplay between security, freedom, and fear characteristic of liberal government. The chapter also presents important achievements as well as serious shortcomings of studies of governmentality, which seeks to refine and extend Foucault's work on government for a critical analysis of contemporary political technologies and rationalities. Finally, the chapter also presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapter of this book.
