On the medicalisation of global politics: a conversation with Roberto Esposito

Riemann, M.; Cerella, A.; Esposito, R. (2025)

Article / Letter to editor

This article explores the intertwining of politics and medicine by analysing how medicine has become politicized, and politics medicalized, as well as the effects of these dynamics on subjectivity, politics and the social. Rather than starting from a fixed research question or hypothesis, this work takes the form of a collaborative enquiry that “allows something to emerge” through social interaction. It unfolds through a series of encounters and reflections with renowned philosopher Roberto Esposito, whose thought has significantly influenced the social sciences and humanities and informs the core themes of this Special Issue. First, the article engages with the role of immunitary practices and metaphors in political life. Second, it enquires into the relationship between medicalized responses to political phenomena and the increasing individualization and desocialization these bring forth. Third, it explores how the protection of life is often accompanied by thanatopolitical consequences. By highlighting these issues, the dialogue seeks to transcend negative biopolitics and open new avenues for future research and the development of affirmative political life.

• Roberto Esposito
• Biopolitics
• Medicalization
• International Relations
• Thanatopolitics
• Necropolitics

• All authors: Riemann, M.; Cerella, A.; Esposito, R.
• Date: 2025-09-29
• Journal: Cambridge Review of International Affairs
• Pages: 1 - 22
• DOI: doi:10.1080/09557571.2025.2564262
• Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09557571.2025.2564262