Governing Australia

Book excerpt: Inspired by Foucault's discussion of governmentality, this book makes a major contribution to our understanding of government. The book is interdisciplinary in approach, and combines theoretical discussion with empirical focus. It includes a substantial introduction by the editors, and contains work critiquing the central notion of governmentality. A range of topics are discussed, including regulation of the unemployed and people with HIV/AIDS, sexual harassment in the military, the corporatisation of education, new contractualism and governing personality. While their topics are varied, the contributors explore a range of shared concerns, including notions of problematisation, expert knowledge, rationality, freedom and autonomy, giving the volume focus and rigour. This book will be essential reading in political science, sociology, law, philosophy, education and economics.