Seminar 1 - Panopticism

Panopticism

• The shift in society from physical discipline/control to mental control
• Society makes us conform and behave in the way we believe we should act
• Foucault believes discipline is to train and to make someone more useful and productive in society

Panopticon

• Proposed by Jeremy Bentham in 1791
• Originally designed as a prison but also used for schools, asylums, 
• Prisoners were unable to see the other inmates as they were isolated and internalised
• Works around visibility - everyone is constantly on display but for it to work, the surveyors must have a sense of visibility and invisibility. Inmates need a reminder that they are being watched.
• Relies on surveillance 
• System for order and control of subjects

Power should be visible but never verifiable


Foucault and power

• Power is a relationship and not a thing or capacity we have. A <--> B. A only has a power over B if B willingly succumbs to the power/control. Marxists would say the ruling class have power over the working class A --> B. 
• SELF REGULATION - You control yourself
• There is always the possibility of resistance 
• Factories cannot function without workers 
• A school institution has power over teachers and students (panopticon).  It provides a system to monitor the monitor aswell as the monitored. 

Examples of Panopticism in today's society

1) Open plan office 

Appears to be more social than it actually is

All of the employees are being watched

2) Speed cameras 

Many do not even have cameras (removes the need for person A in Foucault's analogy - self regulation). There is a constant reminder of the camera therefore you begin to drive as you are supposed to drive. Where there is power, there is always a possibility of resistance as people usually just slow down for the camera). 

3) House of Commons 

Politicians know they are being recorded therefore they behave in a way which they believe will appeal to the general public in order to sway more votes. Their actions are constantly being assessed.

4) Facebook, Twitter

Panoptic monitoring system 

5) Gym

On display to people internally and externally

Docile Bodies

Disciplinary society produces what Foucault calls Docile bodies

- Perfectly trained

- Pliable

- Conforming to society

- Obedient

- Self-monitoring


Task


Write a short, 300 word analysis of something in contemporary society that we believe is panoptic. Use terminology referenced in the lecture and seminar and 5 quotes from Foucault's writing. Seamlessly integrate these quotes and fragmented sentences into the analysis.