Foucault on the Politics of Parrhesia

The late Foucault's discussions of truth-telling (parrhesia) revolve around freedom of speech and the quality of democracy: citizens' courage to speak truth to power as well as political authorities' courage to speak truthfully as to what must be done. The notion of parrhesia held particular interes [...]
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The late Foucault's discussions of truth-telling (parrhesia) revolve around freedom of speech and the quality of democracy: citizens' courage to speak truth to power as well as political authorities' courage to speak truthfully as to what must be done. The notion of parrhesia held particular interest for Foucault as a result of its focus on the ground for exercising political authority. It connotes truthful and trustworthy speech, which goes hand in hand with the accountability and capability of democratic government. With parrhesia we get a political take on truth, for which personal integrity, frankness, timing, courage and resolve are defining features. Foucault's discussions of parrhesia are vital for getting at his political triangulation of power, knowledge and ethics, alias techniques of governmentality, truth-telling and the shaping of the relationship to self. These ideas provide the basis for approaching his discussions on the autonomy of politics and democratic political authority.