February 22, 2007
Foucault, the classical liberal
Just looking back over Foucault’s interview in Essential Works v.3. He sounds like a classical liberal of the late 18th century variety. Here are a couple choice quotes:
“[S]ocial security, whatever its positive effects, has also had some ‘perverse effects’ the growing rigidity of certain mechanisms and the creation of situations of dependency. This is inherent in the functioning of the system: on the one hand, we give people greater security and, on the other, we increase their dependency. Instead, we should expect our system of social security to free us from dangers and from situations that tend to debase or to subjugate us.”
“There is indeed a positive demand: a demand for a security that opens the way to richer, more numerous, more diverse, and more flexible relationships with ourselves and with others, all the while assuring each of us real autonomy.”
Sounds like we need security for eudamonia….