Colin Gordon Boeken

Colin Gordon, a Professor of History at The University of Iowa, explores significant themes in American history through his works. His notable titles include "Dead on Arrival," which examines the political landscape of healthcare in the 20th century, and "New Deals," which analyzes the interplay of business, labor, and politics during the transformative years of 1920 to 1935. Gordon's scholarship provides critical insights into the complexities of American societal changes and the forces shaping its history.

The book delves into the historical impact of private racial restrictions on property ownership in American cities during the first half of the twentieth century. It highlights how these agreements shaped urban development and perpetuated social, political, and economic exclusion. Through extensive research in five Midwestern counties, the author uncovers the mechanisms of segregation prior to zoning laws and federal redlining. The narrative also examines how these restrictions evolved into subtle practices that continued to enforce segregation, revealing their lasting consequences on housing inequality and economic mobility today.

This volume is a sequel to Power/Knowledge, based on Michel Foucault's lectures at the Collège de France in 1978 and 1979, and his 1977 interview on imprisonment. Foucault explores governmental rationalities, examining government as both a contemporary practice and a historical phenomenon, highlighting how governmentality has been conceptualized and enacted. His insights into political discourse and governmentality are complemented by essays from esteemed scholars influenced by Foucault's work. They delve into various modern forms of government, such as state reasoning, police functions, liberalism, security, social economy, insurance, solidarity, welfare, and risk management. A central theme is that government is not an instinctive or natural phenomenon but rather an invention shaped by historical contexts. The collection also investigates the relationship between governmental practices and criticism, suggesting that critique can drive meaningful change and inspire new practices. This unique anthology of articles and primary materials paves the way for renewed discussions on Foucault's contributions and the implications for liberalism, social policy, and insurance.