Governmentality

How can we change without being told what to do?

Image: Jan Saenredam / After Cornelis van Haarlem, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Governmentality

How can we change without being told what to do?

Imagine you're trying to eat healthier. Someone tells you exactly what to eat and when, but you still struggle to stick to it.

Governmentality is like when you're given a menu (non-coercive guidance) instead of being told exactly what to eat (coercion). It's about influencing people to self-govern, not just forcing them to act.

Example

Instead of being told to eat only salads and fruits, you're given a list of healthy foods and encouraged to choose what fits your taste.

Remember this

Governmentality helps us self-regulate by guiding choices rather than imposing strict rules.

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