Written by James Murray, Staff Writer
Neil Turner’s writings explore the intersection of power, biopolitics, and social identity, primarily through the lens of marginalized populations like refugees and Brazilians. He examines how scientific discourse and medical authority have historically been used to label “outsiders” as biological threats, a process that enables states to regulate and normalize subjects.
Moving into political science, Turner contrasts compulsory and voluntary voting systems, highlighting how mandatory participation in Brazil is often viewed as a remnant of dictatorship and a source of corruption. Turner’s ethnographic work in Brazil further investigates how class discrimination and institutional corruption create unique socio-cultural barriers to upward mobility. Ultimately, he argues that governing structures and cultural ideologies collaborate to define who is visible, who is governed, and who is excluded from the full benefits of citizenship.
This month, we feature a departure from our usual course by presenting another episode in our podcast entitled “Perspectives Today: The Invisible Cage.” We hope you enjoy it.
Perspectives in Anthropology 