Toward a historical sociology of infectious disease governance: an interview with Alexandre White.

Abstract

This interview explores Alexandre White's contributions to the history of medicine, focusing on his latest work, Epidemic Orientalism: race, capital, and the governance of infectious disease, published by Stanford University Press in 2023. White's extensive research on infectious disease regulation is examined, covering his motivations, ongoing projects, and the pivotal role of comparative methods in the field. His theoretical frameworks are also highlighted for the valuable insights they provide for understanding the complex dynamics of global health, particularly amidst emerging international tensions surrounding infectious diseases.