Discourse, power, and governmentality. Social movement research with and beyond foucault

Abstract

The chapter applies Foucauldian thinking to social movement research. Foucault’s ideas on the limits of thinking and discourse as well as his arguments on governmentality are fruitful contributions. In the current literature on social movements, crucial aspects of the discursive opportunity structure are by and large undefined. Foucault’s theory can be used to specify crucial aspects such as resonance or actors’ discursive constraints. Foucault’s thoughts on governmentality help us to understand the likelihood of protest. On the one hand, governmentality may prevent protest by undermining the legitimacy of social critique. On the other hand, governmentality itself can become a target of protest. The idea of extensive self-control, which is a core part of governmentality, is even part of some movements’ concept of change by individual changes of lifestyles.