IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, FOUCAULDIAN ASCENDANCY ON THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL MATERIALISM MOVEMENTS

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This paper analyses the prominent movements that have been significantly influenced by Foucauldian conceptions particularly power relations and knowledge. This paper focuses on two critical movements namely Historical movement and Cultural materialism movement.
 Methodology: This is a review paper and largely based on secondary data analysis. Foucault's ideas influenced some movements such as New Historicism and Cultural Materialism. I will discuss how Foucault was inspired and influenced by some thinkers like Nietzsche. So, the present appears to be the issue to be studied historically. This point of view led to the rise of some movements, which are focusing on present issues and problems.
 Main Findings: The current study shows firstly that the German philosopher Michel Foucault has a great influence on many literary movements particular the new one such as Cultural materialism and new Historicism and so on. Secondly, it appears Foucault's inspiration by some thinkers and philosophers like Louis Althusser, Nietzsche, and Machiavelli.
 Applications of this study: Foucault has an impact on the other movements and thinkers in which many types of research in contemporary age deal with issues that Foucault involves in his works, such as social, political and economic issues. One of the materials that Foucault focusing it, the significance of past and relate to the present.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: The reader can feel the obvious influence of Michel's writings through a variety of features of Althusser and Nietzsche particularly Foucault regarded Nietzsche's idea as the departure point for his power theory.