Power to Change: a Foucauldian Analysis of the Irish Direct Provision System Dominic Hewson
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Power to Change: A Foucauldian Analysis of the Irish Direct Provision System Thesis submitted to the University of Limerick in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology by Dominic Hewson BA, MA. University of Limerick Supervisor: Dr. Breda Gray Submitted to the University of Limerick December 2014 1 Abstract Power to Change: A Foucauldian Analysis of the Irish Direct Provision System Dominic Hewson In April 2000 the Irish state implemented a policy of Direct Provision and Dispersal through which the state provides accommodation, food and other basic requirements for asylum seekers and their families while their applications for asylum are being processed. Initially conceived of as a temporary measure, the Irish Direct Provision system has come in for much criticism for the poor quality of accommodation and food it provides, for removing the right to work from asylum seekers, for preventing integration, for being an unsuitable environment to raise children, for the adverse effects living within the system can have on an individual’s mental health and for the prolonged periods asylum seekers are required to remain within the system while their applications are processed. This study constitutes an investigation of the Direct Provision system according to the testimonies of those who live within it. It employs an action research based methodology which prioritises the perspectives and experiences of its participants. The key areas investigated include: how the Direct Provision system operates, the various relationships that permit the system to operate in this manner, how the system impacted upon participants, how participants subverted, exceeded and ultimately shaped the system themselves and how the system might be transformed in the future. The study employs the ideas of French philosopher Michel Foucault, an advocate of the power of ‘raw’ and ‘local’ knowledges, and his theorisations of power, conduct, discipline, governance, bio-politics and subjection in order to interpret the Direct Provision system as described by those closest to it. It reveals that Direct Provision is an intensely disciplinary and subject forming system, but also highlights the indomitable nature of those who live within it and their capacity to assert their autonomy and effect change. Key Words: Direct Provision, Asylum Seeker, Foucault, Discipline, Power, Resistance. i Acknowledgments I am using this space to thank just some of the people who have helped me throughout the production of this research and without whom this study would not have been possible. Firstly I would like to thank the members of the University of Limerick Sociology Department who have always done their best to support me and facilitate my work during my time at the University. I would especially like to thank my supervisor Dr Breda Gray who has been an endless source of information, assistance and encouragement. I realise that it is traditional for students to enthusiastically acknowledge the help they have received from their supervisor, but I genuinely cannot thank or praise Breda enough for all she has done for me. I feel very fortunate and privileged to have worked with her. I would also like to thank my friends and family for supporting me while I carried out this work. I would especially like to thank my parents for assisting me in every way possible since I started my undergraduate degree ten years ago and providing me with everything from financial assistance to critical reading and advice along the way. I would also like to give specific thanks to my partner Colette who was always available to help in any way possible and managed to put up with my erratic schedules, commitments and moods. Finally, I want to thank the participants who conducted this study with me. The courage they exhibited during a phenomenally difficult time in their lives was inspirational and their value to this study incalculable. I hope that the knowledge produced by our work can in some way contribute towards the challenges and protests building against Direct Provision nationwide and that this inhumane system will soon meet its long overdue end. ii List of Tables and Appendices List of Tables Table 1: Breakdown of Participants’ Nationalities 86 List of Appendices Appendix A: Rejected Ethical Application 291 Appendix B: Approved Ethical Application 305 Appendix C: University of Limerick's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences' Ethics Committee - Initial Response. 320 Appendix D: University of Limerick's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences' Ethics Committee - Rejection of Ethical Application. 322 Appendix E: Information Sheet Provided to Potential Participants 324 Appendix F: Research Consent Form 327 iii Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................... ii List of Tables and Appendices ................................................................................................................ iii Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... vii Chapter One: Establishing Context: A History of Asylum in Ireland ....................................................... 1 1. From Diverse Origins to Citizenship ................................................................................................ 1 2. The Second World War and Anti-Semitism .................................................................................... 4 3. Ratification of the UN Convention and Hungarian Refugees ......................................................... 6 4. Programme Refugees and European Harmonisation ................................................................... 11 5. Direct Provision and Dispersal ...................................................................................................... 15 6. Citizenship Discourses and the 2004 Referendum ....................................................................... 20 7. Asylum in Ireland Today ................................................................................................................ 26 8. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 2: Theorising Power and Subject Formation in the Direct Provision System.......................... 32 1. A General Theory of Power ........................................................................................................... 32 1.1 Alternative Theorisations of Power ........................................................................................ 33 1.2 Foucault and Power ................................................................................................................ 37 2. Modalities of Power ...................................................................................................................... 39 2.1 Sovereign Power ..................................................................................................................... 40 2.2 Disciplinary Power ................................................................................................................... 42 2.3 Governmentality, Bio-power and Racism ............................................................................... 46 3. The Subject, Objectification and Subjectification ......................................................................... 55 4. Neoliberalism ................................................................................................................................ 58 5. The ‘National Abject’ ..................................................................................................................... 63 6. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 66 Chapter 3: Formulating and Implementing an Action Research Methodology .................................... 68 1. Objectives and Concerns ............................................................................................................... 69 1.1 Theoretical Concerns .............................................................................................................. 69 1.2 Methodological Concerns ....................................................................................................... 73 2. Action Research ............................................................................................................................ 75 3. Research Design ............................................................................................................................ 82 3.1 Preparation ............................................................................................................................. 82 3.2 Analysis ................................................................................................................................... 87 iv 4. Fieldwork ....................................................................................................................................... 90 4.1 Preparations and Ethics .........................................................................................................