Foucault's Biopower

Foucault's concept of biopower refers to how modern authorities control populations through subtle mechanisms that regulate life processes, such as health, reproduction, and mortality. Instead of direct repressive force, biopower operates by shaping norms and practices—like public health policies, surveillance, and statistical analysis—that influence how individuals and groups behave. This form of power aims to optimize life and manage risks, ultimately shaping societal standards about what is considered healthy, normal, or acceptable, thereby exercising control over populations in a way that is often invisible but deeply influence social life.