Foucault’s Governmentality

Foucault’s concept of governmentality refers to the ways governments and authorities manage and influence people’s behavior, not just through laws but also through other techniques of social regulation. It focuses on how power operates in society to shape individuals’ choices and conduct, often via institutions, norms, and knowledge. This concept highlights that governance extends beyond formal political structures, involving a wide range of practices that guide populations toward desired outcomes, often subtly and indirectly. Ultimately, governmentality examines how power manages human behavior to maintain social order and control in everyday life.