Foucault, Marxism and Critique (Routledge Library Editions: Michel Foucault) - Softcover

In this work, originally released in 1983, Barry Smart examines the relevance of Foucault's work for developing an understanding of those issues which lie beyond the limits of Marxist theory and analysis - issues such as 'individualising' forms of power, power-knowledge relations, the rise of 'the social', and the associated socialisation of politics. He argues that there exist clear and substantial differences between Foucault's genealogical analysis and that of Marxist theory. Smart thus presents Foucault's work as a new form of critical theory, whose object is a critical analysis of rationalities, and of how relations of power are rationalised.

Barry Smart is Professor of sociology at the University of Portsmouth and a member of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR). His research interests include: critical social theory; the

globalization of consumer culture and the transformation of economic life; and the cultural economy of modern sport. His most recent books are Economy, Culture & Society (OUP, 2003), The Sport Star (SAGE, 2005) and Consumer Society (SAGE, 2010)