History and power: the (dis)uses of Marx in Foucault

Abstract

This article intends to support that the use of the work of Karl Marx done by Michel Foucault was due to the genealogical research. In this analysis, the economy interpretation of the German philosopher was subdued. Although, proposed categories by Marx were used, this did not mean any dependence of Foucault over his work. To achieve the objective, it will be demonstrated that history and power were two parts that joined to permit the comprehension of the economy’s operation. Therefore, Foucault would demonstrate the need of decentralize the subject as constituent of the historic relationships. In this way, he would clarify the way the philosophic Marxism discourse, intending to be considered as science, caused the emergency of knowledge that permitted to understand the mechanisms of production and its relation with the subject.