A major interdisciplinary study of the development of hospitals, insane asylums, and prisons in America and Europe, this book resulted from discussions between its two editors about their work on the history of hospitals, poor relief, deviance, and crime, and a subsequent conference held in June 1992 by the German Historical Institute, Washington, D.C., that attempted to assess the impacts of Foucault and Elias.

Eighteen contributors from six different countries with backgrounds in history, sociology, criminology, and public health utilize various methodological approaches and reflect the various viewpoints in the theoretical debate over Foucault's contribution to historical research.