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Abstract:
This article tries to establish elements for an analysis of the power relations in hospital. After an explanation of the notion of power with recurrence to Max Weber, it presents different forms of the exercise of power. The traditional authoritarian form of power is compared with modern forms that are less personal and more anonymous. Then, the article tries to explain the special relationship between power and medicine. The basis for the analysis of this relationship is taken from Michel Foucault's analysis of power who describes medicine as the switch position of modern forms of exercise of power. He defines this under two different points of view: firstly, medicine works as an institution of disciplinary power, secondly, medicine is the sustainer of the bio-power, a kind of power that works by giving life.