GOVERNING LOVE - ON THE TACTICAL CONTROL OF COUNTERTRANSFERENCE IN THE PSYCHOANALYTIC COMMUNITY

This paper interrogates the problematics of 'love' as they relate to p sychoanalysis. We have restricted our investigation to psychoanalytic texts which address the 'theory of practice' as the ideal to which pra ctice aspires. 'Love' in psychoanalysis acts as a focus for practices of incitement and regulation. The psychoanalytic setting and method in cites (transference) 'love' in the patient and (countertransference) ' love' in the analyst, feelings which are then subjected to a variety o f governmental procedures so as to transform abnormal 'love' into a he althier 'love'. The power relations and modes of government in this st rategic process are analysed. It is our contention that psychoanalytic community treats 'love' as a contagion from which it has attempted to immunize itself through the tactical control of countertransference. Therapy, seen in this way, is precisely a form of government of self a nd other.