Question

In Foucault's lecture series "Security, Territory and Population", in the lecture of 15 March 1978, Foucault traces what is understood by the concept of raison d'État, starting with Palazzo's work entitled Discourse on government and the true raison d'État. Below is an extract of what Foucault writes:

Well, "raison" is a word used in two senses: Raison is the entire essence of a thing, which constitutes the union, the combination of all its parts; it is the necessary bond between the different elements that constitute a thing. That is raison. But "raison" is also employed in another sense. Subjectively, raison is a certain power of the soul that enables it to know the truth of things, that is to say, precisely that bond, that integrity of the different parts that constitutes a thing."

Answer 1

Michel Foucault's exploration of 'raison d'État' delves into the dual nature of reason and its role in state governance, linking to his broader concepts .

Step-by-step explanation:

In Michel Foucault's lecture on 15 March 1978 from his series Security, Territory, Population, he explores the concept of raison d'État, a pivotal idea in political philosophy that underpins the rationality of state actions. Foucault delves into the origins of this term, citing Palazzo's work and the dual meaning of the word 'raison'—as the essential nature that unifies the parts of a thing and as the cognitive power to understand this unification. Through this concept, Foucault illustrates how power is intertwined with knowledge production and state governance, and leads into discussions of biopolitics—a term he coined to describe the methods used by the state to regulate and control populations through categorization and surveillance, deeply influencing contemporary political thought and critique.

The subject matter, deeply rooted in critical theory, sheds light on the intricate relationship between power and knowledge, revealing the mechanisms through which institutions cement their authority and shape societal norms. This knowledge informs political movements such as critical race theory and radical democracy, highlighting the vital role of critical thinking in challenging entrenched power structures.