A Foucauldian Analysis Poor’s Self-images and Social Process of Normalization

This paper examines the rise of self-reliance discourse within the complex power relations in Hong Kong, and attempts to make two modest contributions. First, there is an urge to conceptualize the notion of governmentality as a more complex concept. It argues that the discourse around poverty and self-reliance in Hong Kong emerged out of complicated political struggles, rather than via a straightforward top-down implementation process. Second, this paper demonstrates that the formation of 'enterpreneurial man' is not ahistorical process. Although past studies have argued that entrepreneurship is rooted in neo-liberal ideology, I suggested that neo-liberalism alone cannot account for rise of entrepreneurship as dominant discourse. By examining the poverty discourse as communicated via Hong Kong newspaper from 1994 to 2013, I argue that neo-liberal entrepreneurialism is culturally formed and is a compilation of other ideologies. It is the Hong Kong dream and beliefs of Chinese work ethics have strengthened the belief that everyone will succeed in Hong Kong with your hard work, while Hong Kong people acquire an elite, individual sensibility through differentiating themselves from Mainland Chinese. This paper does not deny the hegemony of neo-liberalism, but suggests seriously considering the fact that knowledge system of poverty emerge out of complicated political struggles and infusion of different ideologies rather than top-down structure. In total, 610 articles were randomly selected and qualitatively coded using Nvivo software with a procedure of open, selective coding. Knowledge System of Poverty was developed through embodiment of cultural values in competing media representation, governmental practices activists's activities and so on. Sixty interviews were conducted with poor people to illustrate that the ideology of self-reliance within neoliberal regime is normalized via the operation of disciplinary gaze and confession.