Biopolitics in the Time of Coronavirus

Previous articleNext article FreeBiopolitics in the Time of CoronavirusDaniele LorenziniDaniele Lorenzini Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUSFull Text Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmailPrint SectionsMore2 April 2020In a recent blog post, Joshua Clover rightly notices swift emergence new panoply “genres quarantine.”1 It should not come as surprise that one them centers on Michel Foucault’s notion biopolitics, asking whether or it is still appropriate describe situation we are currently experiencing. Neither that, virtually all contributions make use concept biopolitics address current coronavirus pandemic, same bunch rather vague ideas mentioned over and again, while other—no doubt interesting—Foucauldian insights tend be ignored. In what follows, I discuss two these insights, conclude with some methodological remarks issue may mean “respond” “crisis.”The “Blackmail” BiopoliticsThe first point would like he developed 1976, was meant show us just how evil “modern” form power is.2 Of course, praise either. seems me coining Foucault wants foremost aware historical crossing threshold specifically calls society’s “seuil de modernité biologique” (“threshold biological modernity”).3 Our society crossed such when processes characterizing life human beings species became crucial political decision-making, “problem” addressed governments—and this, only “exceptional” circumstances (such an epidemic), but “normal” well (“S,” p. 244). A permanent concern defines also “étatisation du (the “nationalization biological”) 240; trans. mod.). To remain faithful idea good bad itself, always dangerous (if accepted blindly, is, without ever questioning it), could say “paradigm shift” way which governed, both its positive horrible outcomes, no corresponds extension domain intervention mechanisms. We longer governed only, nor even primarily, subjects law, living who, collectively, global mass—a “population”—with natality rate, mortality morbidity average expectancy, so on.In “What Enlightenment?” claims refuse “‘blackmail’ Enlightenment”—that have either “for” “against” it—and instead event characterizes, at least certain extent, today.4 suggest, analogous way, wise “blackmail” biopolitics: do (what mean?), defines, part, think about politics ourselves. When, newspapers social media, see people complaining others respecting quarantine rules, astonishing me, contrary, many are, risk sanctions, most situations, quite low. noticed quotes from Discipline Punish, particular beginning chapter “Panopticism,” course perfectly resonates our experience quarantine, describes disciplinarization city inhabitants during plague epidemic.5 However, if insist coercive measures, being confined, controlled, “trapped” home extraordinary times, overlooking fact disciplinary biopolitical mainly functions automatic, invisible, ordinary way—and precisely notice it.Instead worrying increase surveillance mechanisms indiscriminate control under state exception, therefore worry already docile, obedient subjects. Biopolitical (only) exercised lives outside, were, has been part subjectivity, past centuries. This why any effective strategy resistance aspects take refusal, following logic blackmail biopolitics. “critical ontology ourselves”6 turn out surprisingly helpful here, since very fabric ready question.The (Bio)Politics Differential VulnerabilityThe second discuss—a one, alas rarely find mobilizing pandemic—is inextricable link establishes between biopower racism. piece, Judith Butler “the rapidity radical inequality, nationalism, capitalist exploitation ways reproduce strengthen themselves within pandemic zones.”7 comes much-needed reminder moment other thinkers, Jean-Luc Nancy, argue contrary “puts basis equality, bringing together need common stand.”8 equality Nancy talking wealthy privileged—those who lucky enough house apartment spend their work can home, Bruno Latour observed.9 What those forced go every day because they cannot afford lose paycheck? roof head?In last lecture “Society Must Be Defended,” argues racism “a introducing break into taken power: must live die” 254; words, becomes fragmenting continuum—we less needs—in order create hierarchies different groups, thus (radical) differences latter exposed death. The differential exposure health risks according Foucault, salient feature governmentality. Racism, forms, “condition acceptability” protect population enhance productive capacity 255; carefully avoid reducing famous Foucauldian formula “making letting 241).10 Biopolitics does really consist clear-cut opposition death, better understood effort differentially organize gray area them. government migration excellent example Martina Tazzioli convincingly shows “biopolitics through mobility.”11 Indeed, constantly, sometimes painfully reminded days, also, crucially, matter governing mobility—and immobility. Maybe experience, us, will help realize “borders” porous colors, nationalities, extractions deserves considered main forms contemporary world.In short, vulnerability. Far erases racial inequalities reminding belonging species, structurally relies establishment value lives, producing multiplying vulnerability means people. might want next time collectively applaud “medical heroes”12 “care workers”13 “fighting coronavirus.”14 They deserve it, sure. But ones “taking care” us? delivery sure receive buy safely remaining my quarantined apartment? supermarket pharmacy cashiers, public-transportation drivers, factory workers, working (mostly low-income) jobs deemed necessary functioning society? Don’t deserve—and exclusively exceptional circumstances—to workers”? virus put equality. On blatantly reveals incessant production inequalities.The Political Grammar CrisisFoucault’s complex, rich, compelling today than appears pen too quickly reduce series anathemas against confinement mass misleadingly utilize talk exception bare life.15 however, ultimate explanatory principle capable telling happening solution problems is—and “historically differentiated character phenomena” correctly emphasized Roberto Esposito, deeper reason.16 thought prisoner “grammar crisis” constrained temporality, extent critical responses (or, matters, economic, social, humanitarian “crises”) seem able look beyond immediate future.17 Thus, agree “health “incite prepare climate change,” am far optimistic is: happen unless replace crisis-narrative long-term creative multiple, evolving structural causes “crises.”18 elaborate responses, looking solutions, short-term problem-solving strategies aiming changing little possible living, producing, traveling, eating, on. exploring alternative paths hope experiments present crisis acknowledging transformations necessarily slow, get rid blink eye. word, having faith build future, ourselves, countless generations yet come—and actually start doing it.NotesDaniele assistant professor philosophy University Warwick, where deputy director Centre Research Post-Kantian European Philosophy. coeditor Studies, his books include La force vrai: De à Austin (2017) Éthique et politique soi: Hadot, Cavell les techniques l’ordinaire (2015).1. Clover, “The Rise Fall Biopolitics: Response Latour,” “Posts Pandemic,” online supplement Critical Inquiry 47 (Winter 2021): S28.2. See History Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction, Robert Hurley (New York, 1978), pp. 135–45 Defended”: Lectures Collège France, 1975–1976, David Macey 2003), 239–63; hereafter abbreviated “S.”3. 1, 143; mod.4. Enlightenment,” Catherine Porter, Reader, ed. Paul Rabinow 1984), 42, 43.5. “Coronavirus Philosophers,” Journal Psychoanalysis, www.journal-psychoanalysis.eu/coronavirus-and-philosophers/. read analysis full, Punish: Birth Prison, Alan Sheridan 1977), 195–200.6. 47.7. Butler, “Capitalism Has Its Limits,” Verso Books, 30 Mar. 2020, www.versobooks.com/blogs/4603-capitalism-has-its-limits8. Jean Luc “Communovirus,” 27 www.versobooks.com/blogs/4626-communovirus9. Latour, “Is Dress Rehearsal?” S25–27.10. 138–41.11. Tazzioli, Making Migration: Mobility Europe’s Borders (London, 2019), 106. Although passed unnoticed, volume mentions migrations areas function. 140.12. William Booth, Karla Adam, Pamela Rolfe, “In Fight Coronavirus, World Gives Medical Heroes Standing Ovation,” Washington Post, 26 www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/clap-for-carers/2020/03/26/3d05eb9c-6f66-11ea-a156-0048b62cdb51_story.html13. “Clap Carers: UK ‘Emotional’ Tribute NHS Care Workers,” BBC News, www.bbc.com/news/uk-5205801314. Coronavirus.”15. Giorgio Agamben’s texts www.quodlibet.it/una-voce-giorgio-agamben, and, response, Gordon Hull, “Why Are Not Bare Life: What’s Wrong Thoughts Coronavirus,” New APPS: Art, Politics, Philosophy, Science, 23 www.newappsblog.com/2020/03/why-we-are-not-bare-life-whats-wrong-with-agambens-thoughts-on-coronavirus.html16. “Curati oltranza,” Antinomie, 28 Feb. antinomie.it/index.php/2020/02/28/curati-a-oltranza/17. Daniele “Critique Ontology: Genealogy, Collective Subjects, Deadlocks Evidence,” Radical Philosophy 207 (Spring 2020): 27–39.18. S25. 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