Biopower in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Biopower

The term “biopower” originates from the work of French philosopher Michel Foucault in the mid-20th century. It represents a concept rooted in the intersection of power and biology. Foucault introduced this notion to describe the ways in which modern states and institutions exert control over individuals and populations through the regulation and management of their biological lives.

Biopower emphasizes the governance of health, reproduction, and the overall well-being of populations, often through techniques such as medicalization, surveillance, and the establishment of norms and standards.

It signifies a shift from traditional sovereign power, which focuses on individual life and death, to a more diffuse and pervasive form of power that targets the biological existence of entire populations, making it a critical concept in contemporary political and social theory.

Meanings of Biopower

Aspect	Meaning	Example
Control and Regulation	Characters or societies subjected to external control and regulation affecting their biological and social lives.	– A dystopian novel where a totalitarian government enforces strict population control measures.
Surveillance and Discipline	Literary exploration of surveillance and disciplinary mechanisms exerting biopower. Characters constantly observed, monitored, or shaped by societal norms.	– A novel where characters are under constant surveillance, and their behavior is controlled by a powerful organization.
Identity and Subjectivity	Tension between conforming to social expectations and asserting individual agency and identity. Impact of biopower on characters’ self-perception and societal perceptions.	– A coming-of-age story where the protagonist grapples with societal norms that limit their self-expression.
Biopolitics and Literature	Literary engagement with political decisions affecting characters’ biological well-being. Exploration of issues like reproductive rights, healthcare, and the environment.	– A novel that delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding genetic engineering and its consequences on society.
Resistance and Agency	Portrayal of characters resisting or challenging biopower, seeking autonomy and agency. Narratives highlighting possibilities for individual and collective resistance.	– A novel where a group of rebels fights against a dystopian regime’s biopolitical control, striving for freedom.
Dystopian and Utopian Narratives	Appearance of biopower dynamics in dystopian and utopian literature. Imagining extreme scenarios of control or liberation as cautionary tales or alternative visions of the future.	– A utopian novel envisioning a society where biopower is harnessed for the betterment of humanity.
Literary Theory Perspective	Use of biopower as a framework for analyzing power structures, social norms, and the negotiation of existence in literature. Understanding literature’s reflection and critique of politics and the control of life.	– A critical analysis of a literary work using biopower theory to deconstruct the power dynamics at play in the narrative.

Definition of Biopower as a Theoretical Term

Biopower, as a theoretical term, refers to the exercise of political power and control by states, institutions, or societal norms over the biological aspects of individuals and populations.

It encompasses the regulation and management of various aspects of life, including health, reproduction, and the body itself, through techniques such as medicalization, surveillance, and the establishment of norms and standards.

This concept, introduced by Michel Foucault, highlights the shift from traditional forms of sovereignty to a more diffuse and pervasive mode of power that operates at the intersection of politics and the biological existence of human beings.

Biopower: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

• Michel Foucault: The concept of biopower was introduced and extensively developed by Michel Foucault in his works on power, discipline, and governmentality.

Key Works:

• The Birth of Biopolitics (1978): Michel Foucault’s lectures at the Collège de France, where he first articulated the concept of biopower in the context of neoliberalism and governmentality.
• Society Must Be Defended (1976): Foucault’s lectures examining the historical emergence of biopower and its connections to state racism and sovereignty.

Arguments:

• Emergence of Biopower: Foucault argued that in modern societies, there was a shift from traditional sovereign power (focused on life and death) to biopower, which governs and regulates the biological life of populations.
• Control Over Life: Biopower involves the regulation of various aspects of life, including health, sexuality, reproduction, and the body, often through techniques of surveillance, medicalization, and the establishment of societal norms.
• Governmentality: Foucault’s concept of governmentality posits that biopower operates through complex governmental techniques and strategies, influencing how individuals and populations conduct themselves in everyday life.
• Neoliberalism and Biopolitics: Foucault’s analysis of neoliberalism highlighted how biopower played a central role in shaping economic and political policies, emphasizing individual responsibility and market-driven governance.

These theorists, works, and arguments have been foundational in shaping our understanding of biopower as a theoretical concept in critical theory and social philosophy.

Biopower and Literary Theories

Theory	Relevance
Postcolonial Theory	Biopower can be applied to postcolonial literature to examine how colonial powers exerted control over the biological and social lives of colonized populations. It can shed light on the ways in which colonizers imposed medical, racial, and cultural norms on colonized peoples.
Feminist Theory	Biopower is relevant in feminist literary analysis by exploring how patriarchy and societal norms have regulated women’s bodies, sexuality, and reproductive rights. This perspective can be applied to feminist literature to analyze themes of gender oppression, autonomy, and resistance.
Queer Theory	In queer theory, biopower can be used to investigate how societal norms have historically regulated and pathologized non-heteronormative sexualities and identities. It can inform readings of queer literature that challenge or subvert these norms.
Ecocriticism	Biopower has relevance in ecocriticism when examining literature that deals with environmental issues. It allows for the exploration of how political and economic systems exert control over ecosystems and the biological world, as well as how literature can critique or engage with these dynamics.
Marxist Theory	Biopower intersects with Marxist literary theory when analyzing literature that deals with class struggle, economic control, and the commodification of life. It can be used to explore how capitalist systems regulate and exploit labor forces within literary contexts.
Critical Race Theory	Critical race theorists can employ biopower as a lens to analyze how racial norms, stereotypes, and systemic racism affect the lives and bodies of racialized individuals in literature. This perspective can be applied to texts that address issues of race, identity, and resistance.
Disability Studies	Biopower is relevant in disability studies when examining how societal norms and medical institutions have historically framed disability and determined who is considered “normal.” It can be used to analyze literature that engages with disability issues and challenges these norms.

Biopower in Literary Criticism

1. by Aldous Huxley (1932): In this classic dystopian novel, biopower is critiqued through a futuristic society where characters such as Bernard Marx and Lenina Crowne are genetically engineered and conditioned to conform to predetermined social roles. The World State wields complete control over reproduction, health, and behavior, profoundly shaping the lives of individuals like John “the Savage” and Mustapha Mond.
2. by Margaret Atwood (1985): Within this novel, a biopower critique unfolds in a totalitarian society. Women, including the protagonist Offred, are controlled and subjugated through strict reproductive regulations enforced by figures like Aunt Lydia and the Commander. This regime strips women of autonomy over their bodies, showcasing the power of biopolitical control.
3. by Kazuo Ishiguro (2005): This novel explores the dynamics of biopower in a disturbing dystopian world where characters like Kathy H., Tommy D., and Ruth C. are raised as cloned individuals intended for organ donation. The narrative delves deeply into themes of identity, agency, and the commodification of human life, casting a haunting light on the experiences of these characters.
4. by Naomi Alderman (2016): In this speculative fiction novel, biopower takes on a unique twist as women, including characters like Roxy and Allie, develop a biological ability to generate electric shocks. The story meticulously examines how this newfound power fundamentally alters gender dynamics and societal control, affecting a wide range of characters and their relationships.
5. by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2019): Set within the historical context of slavery in the United States, this novel interweaves elements of biopower. The narrative centers around characters like Hiram Walker, the protagonist, who possesses a mysterious power known as “conduction.” This power plays a pivotal role in their struggle for freedom, shedding light on the complex dynamics of liberation and control within the lives of enslaved individuals.

Suggested Readings

1. Foucault, Michel. The Birth of Biopolitics: Michel Foucault’s Lecture at the Collège de France on Neo-Liberal Governmentality. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.
2. Hardt, Michael, and Antonio Negri. Empire. Harvard University Press, 2000.
3. Lemke, Thomas. Biopolitics: An Advanced Introduction. New York University Press, 2011.
4. Mbembe, Achille. Necropolitics. Duke University Press, 2019.
5. Rabinow, Paul, and Nikolas Rose. Biopower Today. Princeton University Press, 2006.
6. Rose, Nikolas. The Politics of Life Itself: Biomedicine, Power, and Subjectivity in the Twenty-First Century. Princeton University Press, 2007.
7. Shaviro, Steven. Discognition. Repeater, 2016.
8. Sloterdijk, Peter. You Must Change Your Life: On Anthropotechnics. Polity Press, 2013.
9. Stiegler, Bernard. Technics and Time, 1: The Fault of Epimetheus. Stanford University Press, 1998.
10. Weizman, Eyal. Hollow Land: Israel’s Architecture of Occupation. Verso, 2007.