Subjectification through Institutions: The Debate about Freedom in the Works of Foucault

One of the longest lasting problems in the discussion about Foucault has been the problem of freedom. More precisely the question is: How can freedom and resistance be thought and explained in a theory of power and subjectification? I will address this problem not by talking about Foucault himself, for example by offering a new interpretation of his writings. Rather, I claim that the problem can only be addressed by looking at the social-philosophical debate kicked off by his works. The problem of freedom does not originate in Foucault, but was first articulated in discussions of his work by political theorists. These interpretations, through constructing the problem, go beyond mere exegesis. They are complex philosophical works in themselves and as such they are the main object of my analysis