BIOPOLITICS, REGULATORY POLITICS, AND FOREIGN POLICY: PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS OF DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND TOBACCO ECONOMIES (1981-2025)
Abstract
This study examines the effects of drug, alcohol, and tobacco economies on public health during the period 1981-2025 at the intersection of biopolitics, regulatory politics, and foreign policy. The population management strategies of modern states are shaped not only within national borders but also through international cooperation mechanisms. The research questions how states' regulatory approaches to these three economic domains serve functions of legitimizing health protection while simultaneously providing diplomatic advantages and strengthening security strategies. The theoretical framework of the study presents an original analytical perspective by integrating Foucault's biopolitical approach with the institutional tools of regulatory politics and the strategic dimension of foreign policy. The analysis conducted using qualitative research methods reveals the transformation of global governance structures, the reshaping of state sovereignty practices, and the role of international organizations in enhancing regulatory capacity. The findings demonstrate that health-based justifications are integrated with security and economic discourses, regulatory policies are shaped by compliance with international norms, yet the concern for protecting national interests does not narrow sovereignty domains. The study reveals that border security and smuggling control are fundamental areas where biopolitical strategies materialize, and the influence of multinational corporations on regulatory processes is increasing. In conclusion, future biopolitical strategies need to be integrated with global processes such as climate change, migration movements, and digital transformation, and supported by democratic participation and accountability mechanisms.
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