Gramscian and Foucaultian approaches to peace: hegemony through biopolitics

Abstract

Since the end of the Cold war, the international system configuration developed in such way that allowed different approaches concerning the reflection about the construction of peace. Albeit many efforts to transform violent conflicts and construct a sustainable peace, the persistence of violent conflicts throughout the globe indicates that these efforts are, at least, problematic. Consequently, a critical line of thought became more salient across peace studies. In this context, this article aims to problematize the construction of peace from both, a gramscian and foulcauldian perspectives. Hence, we will explore points of convergences and divergences in both theories in order to achieve a critical comprehension of peace. Ultimately, the main goal is to evince that the construction of peace within the international system aims the core’s maintenance of hegemony through the biopolitical power, exerted over the periphery.