Archives of Infamy

This book explores power dynamics between police and communities, drawing on Farge and Foucault's insights. Archives of Infamy offers new perspectives on justice and social relationships.

The book Archives of Infamy delves into the intricate dynamics between policing, public order, and the everyday lives of individuals. It expands upon the foundational insights of Arlette Farge and Michel Foucault's earlier work, Disorderly Families, exploring how ordinary citizens might engage with and influence the flow of power between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The authors pose thought-provoking questions about the role of police in society and how their understanding of responsibility has evolved over time.

This volume brings together a diverse array of unpublished materials, including radio broadcasts, essays, and book reviews, all aimed at providing historical context to the themes discussed in Disorderly Families. Among the contributions are new translations of significant texts, including a 1983 radio address by Foucault that elucidates his writing process, as well as essays by both Foucault and Farge that have not been readily accessible in English. These insights shed light on the ways historians have interpreted and utilized Foucault's theories.

Archives of Infamy challenges traditional debates between historians and philosophers, offering fresh perspectives on the formation of social relationships, family structures, and political authority. By examining these connections, the book invites readers to reconsider the implications of power dynamics in contemporary society and how they manifest in daily life.