Foucault's Law

Ben Golder is a lecturer in law at the University of New South Wales, Australia.Peter Fitzpatrick is Anniversary Professor of Law at Birkbeck, University of London.

• Introduction: Beginnings 1. Orientations: Foucault and Law 2. Foucault’s Other Law 3. Futures of Law

"Golder and Fitzpatrick’s brief volume Foucault’s Law, appearing 25 years after the death of the French thinker, proposes an original, philosophical rereading of Foucault on law...In contrast with those theorists who represent an extreme in ‘using’ Foucault’s legacy, Golder and Fitzpatrick offer an interpretation that concentrates only on extending Foucault’s own ideas. This book deserves a favorable reception for its strong points, for its brevity and [its] audacity" - Rafael Ramis Barcelo, Res Publica, December 2009"All in all, Golder's and Fitzpatrick's book about Foucault and the law is a veritable joy to read. It sketches the contours of a legal theory that differs radically from mainstream views by dint of combining historical, social-scientific and normative analyses of the law. For this reason it is not only a treasure trove (Fundgrube) for future research, but also suitable to be used for teaching purposes, if accompanied by the original texts to which it refers." - Marc de Wilde, Rechtsfilosofie & Rechtstheorie, Issue 2009.3"Golder and Fitzpatrick’s Foucault’s Law is a brief, yet rich, contribution to the burgeoning literature on the place of law in Foucault’s thought. In three densely elaborated chapters they defend the view that, far from being the antinomian thinker he is often taken to be, Foucault provides the resources for the development of a positive conception of law...In addition, the authors bring to their task an impressive command of the primary and secondary literature. Those looking for an entry point into the issue of Foucault and law would do well to begin here." - Max Rosenkrantz, Foucault Studies, No. 8, February 2010"The authors provide excellent organization, fluidity of argument, and clarity of expression. Given the abstract, theoretical subject matter of the book and the complex post-structuralist paradigm within which it is situated, the authors expertly guide the reader through their arguments and explanations without oversimplifying or undermining the complexity of the subject matter that they tackle." - Ashan Mirza, Osgoode Hall Law Journal, 2009"This dense book, compact as it may be, extending over barely 150 pages, was urgently needed to reinvigorate a stagnated debate... [In] this sense the book certainly succeeds and will no doubt provoke many counter-arguments from Foucauldians and non-Foucauldians alike." - Panu Minkkinen, University of Leicester, Social & Legal Studies, 20(1) 117-136, 2011