Governmentality and the measuring of governance

This chapter examines how the notion of governmentality has been applied in the study of the ways in which governance is measured. The breadth and insights of governmentality studies in the field of measuring governance is quite impressive. It is not only the concept of governmentality, but also the associated analytical concepts and strategies developed by Foucault and subsequent scholars that have proved highly fruitful for scholars of the role of measuring in governance. The studies of the relationship between the measuring of governance have proved remarkably apt at addressing rationalities and bodies of knowledge, on the one hand, and their interaction with techniques and practices of governing and measuring, on the other. Still, there is room for improvement. Too many governmentality studies lack conceptual, analytical or critical ambitions. The chapter provides some suggestions for new research avenues.