Critical Theory and History on the Politics of Life
Claire Blencowe

A key theme in my research is understanding 'biopolitics':  political cultures of promoting and maximising the biological life of populations. My book Biopolitical Experience:Foucault, Power & Positive Critique situates the idea of 'biopolitics' in the context of Foucault's earlier work on the historicity of life and in relation to a broad problematic of understanding structures of experience. It explores the relevance of what we might call 'biomentality' for understanding class-power and nationalism, neo-liberal education policy, cultural racism and 'the problem of racism' in the history of present 'western' feminism. Going beyond lamentation at the horrors of biopolitical domination, the book develops a 'positive-critique' of biopolitical experience: offering explanations as to the enormous appeal of biopolitical discourse; and cultivating a productive response to the technologies of biopolitical racism and securitization. In recent writings I have developed the concept of 'biopolitical authority'. I am currently exploring the politics of life in the instituions and theologies of global Christianity - specifically the Ecumenical Movement as represented by the World Council of Churches (WCC).