Michel Foucault: Governmentality Health Policy and the Governance of Childhood Obesity

Abstract

This chapter addresses the work of Michel Foucault and the theory of governmentality. The chapter commences with a discussion of the underlying assumptions of a Foucaultian approach to social theory, focusing upon the role of discourse and the relationship between knowledge and power. It then outlines the concept of governmentality in relation to liberal democracy and identifies the manner in which later theorists have explored neo-liberalism as a governmental rationality. Neo-liberalism is discussed in relation to three aspects of governance: the relationship between the market and state; between the state and health professionals; and ideas of citizenship and personal responsibility for health and well-being. The chapter concludes with a case study in which Foucaultian theory is applied to childhood obesity. Discussion concerns the emergence of childhood obesity as a political problem, policy solutions and parental responses to policy. The limitation of Foucaultian theory will also be addressed.