Publication Details

Abstract

Power is often related to prohibition and repression. Theoretically this notion is articulated in the repressive theory of power or by what Foucault calls "the repressive hypothesis". In the 20th century the repressive hypothesis of power was applied especially by the psychoanalysts (Freud, Reich, Marcuse etc.) in the sphere of sexuality. Their argumentation is that power, being embodied in law, prohibition and censorship, is suppressing sexuality. Foucault argues, that from the historical point of view sexuality has never been fully suppressed, prohibited. In his view the repressive mechanisms alone are not sufficient for the theoretical explanation of power, especially of the present forms of its execution. The efficiency of modem forms of applying power against sexuality is due to the fact, that this power attracts people by enhancing sexual delights rather than supressing them, by stimulating and controlling the knowledge and the discourse about sexuality rather than prohibiting it. Shortly, Foucault's argument against the repressive hypothesis is not that it is focused on the negative implications of power, he rather rejects the reduction of the whole impact of power to the latter.