Abstract

CASTRO-GOMEZ, Santiago. 18th Century: The emergence of biopolitics. Tabula Rasa [online]. 2010, n.12, pp.31-45. ISSN 1794-2489.

This paper addresses the problem of biopolitics in the 18^th century in Spain and its colonies in America, having as a reference the change of Austria's to Bourbon dynasty. It is argued that this change of dynasties involved not only a change in government, but also a change in governmentality. A set of medical, health and demographic steps were applied in order to enhance the quality of life among its population, while at the same time Spain was fighting to recover its geopolitical hegemony in the world-system. Hence, this paper explores the links between biopolitics and geopolitics.

Keywords : biopolitics; Bourbon reforms; colonial discourse; geopolitics.

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