Philosophical Analysis by Foucault on the One Child Policy in China

Abstract

This research paper entails detailed research on philosophical analysis by Foucault on the one child policy in China. This paper gives the detailed overview on the fields of governability determinants, Chinese population birth, and social consequences of the one child policy in China. The major concerns of the social consequences are the increasing rate of abortion, infertility ration, unbalanced sexual ratio, and an aging population.

Table of Content

Abstract2

Introduction4

Discussion5

Fields of Governability Determinants6

Chinese Population Birth7

One Child Policy Social Consequences8

Conclusion13

References14

Philosophical Analysis by Foucault on the One Child Policy in China

Introduction

The one child policy of China literally is a policy of birth planning, which creates limitation of one child in the China's population control policy. It is referred by the Chinese government under the family policy planning. It limits urban couple or married couples from having more that a child; however there are exemptions for certain cases like the birth of twins, ethnic minorities, rural couples, and parents without their siblings. It is stated by the spokesperson of the Committee on the One Child Policy that around 35.9 percent of the population of China is presently under the subject of the constraint of one child. In 1978 the policy of one child was introduced; however, it was applied in 1979. The intention of the creation of the policy of the Chinese government was to lighten environmental, economic, and social concerns in China, and it was claimed by the authorities that during 1980 to 2000 250 million births and during 1979 to 2011, 400 million births have been prevented due to policy. The policy has received controversies both within China and outside China due to the execution manner of the policy and the negative social consequences it has laid. There has been a reported increase in female infanticide, abortions, underreporting of births of females, and gender imbalance in China. On the other hand, 76% of the population of China supports the one child policy reported by the result of a survey conducted in 2008. However, at the provincial level the policy is enforced through fines that are imposed subjected to the family income. At every level of the government Population and Family Planning Commission is creating awareness regarding the concern and scrutiny is performed at every level. Although the policy is implemented with strict actions and fines, people still are having more than a child in their family.

Discussion

The China does not itself hold a strong place; although compulsion has been imposed, which is being ardently debated. It is the dream of the nation to achieve global power, modernity, and wealth by absorption of selective Western technology and science. Social critic Michel Foucault in History of Sexuality and Western modernity drew attention of the population science role in forming population as a mean of scientific discussions and in functioning with institutionalized political power for population governing for improving utility, order, and human well-being (Foucault, 1978). Remi Lenoir raised the concern on the relation between demography and modification ...