The same mechanism that unites society also drives its historical change

Evidence

The principle of dissociative association is also a principle of historical transformation. That which produces the unity of the social fabric is at the same time that which produces the principle of historical transformation and the constant rending of the social fabric. — Michel Foucault, The Birth of Biopolitics, 1544

Categorization

• DEFINE: Captures Ferguson’s core concept of ‘dissociative association’ as the engine of both social unity and historical transformation.
• XREF: connects to: History’s problem is how one party becomes agent of universality — Michel Foucault, Society Must Be Defended, 7653; Social change unfolds across escalating levels of relations of force — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 767; Hegemony builds collective will by articulating differences, not erasing them (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Hegemony builds collective will by articulating differences, not erasing them #expands (0.80)
• History’s problem is how one party becomes agent of universality #expands (0.78) — Michel Foucault, Society Must Be Defended, 7653
• Social change unfolds across escalating levels of relations of force #expands (0.78) — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 767