Seminar: To former for biopolitik

TIME: Monday, 14 May, 10 – 12

VENUE: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, Strandgade 71, ground floor, Christianshavn, 1401 Copenhagen K

TIME: Monday, 14 May, 10 – 12

VENUE: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, Strandgade 71, ground floor, Christianshavn, 1401 Copenhagen K

Sacrifice and conscription express different views of the nature of political violence. There is a logic to conscription, which leads to a juridified biopolitics in which the state acts on its interest in maintaining the strength and well-being of the population. This can take a variety of regulatory forms, including recent American efforts to create universal healthcare.

The biopolitics of conscription is opposed by an alternative biopolitics of sacrifice. Sacrifice is a free act; it resists juridification. A sacrifice is always a gift, and there can be no such gift without a separation between the individual body and the body politic.

In this talk, Paul Kahn explores points of tension between these two logics, and the way in which the state manages their relationship.

He thereby sheds light on contemporary political issues, ranging from the US presidential election and the role of health care within it, to Danish and more broadly European debates over the professionalization of Western militaries.

Speakers:

Paul W. Kahn, Professor, Yale Law School, Yale University
Vibeke Schou Tjalve, Senior Researcher, DIIS

Programme:

10.00-10.05: Introduction; Vibeke Schou Tjalve, Senior Researcher, DIIS

10.05-11.00: Two Forms of Biopolitics; Paul W. Kahn, Professor, Yale Law School, Yale University

11.00-11.20: Coffee Break

11.20-12.00: Q & A

Chair: Vibeke Schou Tjalve, Senior Researcher, DIIS

The seminar will be held in English.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Read more about the seminar and use the online registration form on the website no later than Friday, 11 May at 12 noon.

Please await confirmation by e-mail from DIIS for participation.