To Make Life or Let Die

Do you think about your own mortality? Whether you do or don’t, grappling with the thoughts of your own mortality is, nevertheless, daunting. If we expand further on this concept, we can look at the interplay of power: who determines your final chapter? This unnerving inquiry, echoing from the depths of Michel Foucault’s works, "Society Must Be Defended" and "Right of Death and Power Over Life," compels us to examine the intricate web of power — tracing its insidious influence from ancient blood ties to the biopolitical machinations of modern governance.

History shows that societal views on life and death have been intricately related to power dynamics. Through blood relations, one can see fostered alliances and dictated survival in times of war, famine, and epidemics, therefore, making kinship a potent symbol of both power and vulnerability. Simultaneously, sex, as a means of ensuring population growth and societal stamina, became instrumental in establishing hierarchies and dominance within communities. These were rudimentary forms of power, however, they have evolved with societal progress. 

So, who decides who lives and dies? Today, we see a shift from the realm of blood ties and procreation to a more nuanced interplay of social and political forces. And it is through this power that we see our political systems exercise their biopower. Citizens within modern governance hope to be protected. This protection included improving life, prolonging its duration, improving its chances, avoiding accidents, and compensating for failings. Yet, these biopolitical machinations only have the desire and decency to uphold these promises for their people while simultaneously killing, calling for deaths, giving orders to kill, and exposing their opponents to the risks of death. The justification is rooted back to the original argument — the power dynamic — where protection becomes the forefront. Therefore, the sovereign powers will always be making the decisions and hold the power to make life or let die. So, when thinking about your own mortality, you ought to think beyond the powers within your control — instead, one ought to look at the biopolitical machinations of modern governance. 

References

Foucault, Michel. “Society Must Be Defended.” Picador, 2003.

Foucault, Michel. “The Right of Death and Power Over Life.” The History of Sexuality, Volume 1, 1990.