Foucauldian Genealogy and Maoism

Abstract

If we look at the historical and social presuppositions of Foucault's methodology, we find out that Nietzsche's work cannot be the only root of the shift from archaeology to genealogy. In fact, a whole range of political activist practices after May '68 until the dissolution of the Groupe d'information sur les prisons (GIP) played an important role in inciting a politicization-in-motion that clearly left its traces in Foucault's thought and work.

Maoism and modern western political thought: a genealogy

“…106 In 1968 Foucault had already acknowledged that he was 'very much inspired by what is happening in China' ('Je suis bien passioné par ce qui se passe en Chine'). 107 Above all, he was drawn to the Maoists' unique approach to militancy. Although the GP had been late to join the May movement, it was one of the few groups that continued to agitate throughout June and July and into the 1970s, as though May had never ended.…”