Michel Foucault was a French philosopher who was interesting in the power structures of social institutions. Foucault's work covered areas such as psychiatry, the prison system, the academic system, medicine, and even sexuality. He developed a methodology with which to evaluate a power structure utilizing his vocabulary of methods: dispotif, problematization, and subjectification.

Foucault was also an activist gaining the notorious image of joining with students during revolts and fighting against law enforcement. During the 60s, France was rebuilding after World War II and Foucault was an instructor at several experimental schools where he joined many other left-wing thinkers in French academia. Foucault's teaching experience lead him to further investigate the micro power structures on an educational system.

Although much of Foucault's later work seemed to conflict with his earlier discoveries, he is still considered one of the greatest thinkers of 20th Century.