# The Will to Empower Barbara Cruikshank's "The Will to Empower" explores the concept of democratic subjects and their role in shaping political and social structures. The book examines how citizens and other subjects are produced and empowered through various political and social mechanisms. Cruikshank analyzes the relationship between democracy, power, and the production of subjects, particularly focusing on the poor and marginalized groups. In the first chapter, "Democratic Subjects," Cruikshank discusses the concept of subjects in democratic societies, distinguishing between citizens and other subjects. She explores the idea of "homo polificus" and "homo civicus," highlighting the tension between democracy and power. The chapter also delves into the production of the poor and the role of bio-power in shaping citizens. In the second chapter, "The Liberal Arts of Governance," Cruikshank examines the governance of society as a whole, focusing on reform movements, self-help, and the challenges of governing the poor. She also discusses the role of women in governance and the crisis of governability. The third chapter, "The Will to Empower," explores the political logic and economy of empowerment, focusing on the modeling of the poor, the operationalization of power, and the arming of the poor. Cruikshank also discusses the subjects of power, revolutions within self-government, and the concept of liberation therapy. The final chapters examine the role of welfare queens in ruling by number, the policing of democracy, and the terms of poor women's citizenship. The conclusion reflects on the iterative nature of empowerment and the need for continuous political engagement. The book concludes with notes and an index, providing a comprehensive overview of Cruikshank's analysis of democratic subjects and the will to empower.# The Will to Empower Barbara Cruikshank's "The Will to Empower" explores the concept of democratic subjects and their role in shaping political and social structures. The book examines how citizens and other subjects are produced and empowered through various political and social mechanisms. Cruikshank analyzes the relationship between democracy, power, and the production of subjects, particularly focusing on the poor and marginalized groups. In the first chapter, "Democratic Subjects," Cruikshank discusses the concept of subjects in democratic societies, distinguishing between citizens and other subjects. She explores the idea of "homo polificus" and "homo civicus," highlighting the tension between democracy and power. The chapter also delves into the production of the poor and the role of bio-power in shaping citizens. In the second chapter, "The Liberal Arts of Governance," Cruikshank examines the governance of society as a whole, focusing on reform movements, self-help, and the challenges of governing the poor. She also discusses the role of women in governance and the crisis of governability. The third chapter, "The Will to Empower," explores the political logic and economy of empowerment, focusing on the modeling of the poor, the operationalization of power, and the arming of the poor. Cruikshank also discusses the subjects of power, revolutions within self-government, and the concept of liberation therapy. The final chapters examine the role of welfare queens in ruling by number, the policing of democracy, and the terms of poor women's citizenship. The conclusion reflects on the iterative nature of empowerment and the need for continuous political engagement. The book concludes with notes and an index, providing a comprehensive overview of Cruikshank's analysis of democratic subjects and the will to empower.