Montserrat Galceran Huguet
galceran@filos.ucm.es
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Abstract:
This work intends to relate several aspects of decolonial theory brought forward by Peruvian sociologist Aníbal Quijano, and the theses on the workings of power in contemporary societies, which were advanced by Michel Foucault. Specifically, the issue of hierarchy and heterarchy of power relations and the notion of race and racism presented by both authors will be addressed. Following the thread of the analysis on biopower, the term thanatopower will be also advanced to state the ability to have “spare populations” kill themselves, which would characterize liberal forms of government.
Keywords: race, racism, decolonial theory, biopower, thanatopower.
