Discourse on risk as a technology of power of neoliberal governmentality: An example of epidemiological risks

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the basic premises of the governmentality theory of risk, alongside key concepts in Foucault?s work on which it is based. According to this theory, the risk discourse represents a technology of power of neoliberal governmentality. Furthermore, the aim is to examine the functioning of the risk discourse in this context, using the example of epidemiological risks. It is hypothesized that the epidemiological risks can be understood as a means of neoliberal governmentality implemented within the new public health, as proponents of this theory suggest. This hypothesis is explored by reviewing the relevant literature on this topic in general and recent research on the COVID-19 pandemic and governmentality. The paper demonstrates that epidemiological risks represent manifestations of neoliberal governmentality carried out through discourse on risk.