4/11/10
Lecture notes... Panopticism

Main theorist considered: Foucault

Looks at how main institutions (church, government, education, prison etc) affect us.

Main points: prison, discipline, punishment and the body.

‘House of Correction’ & Asylums

Madness was an acceptable part of society, e.g. the ‘village idiot’.

From 17th century onwards – new ideas emerged to combat idleness and there was a change in
people’s attitude towards work.

People deemed socially unacceptable or unproductive were locked away, e.g. criminals, tramps,
unmarried pregnant women, the lazy and drunkards.

A concept of ‘normal’ emerges based on productivity and the views of the ruling class.

Inmates were made to work, to be productive, to improve their moral fibre

Society was to be made ‘perfect’ with no deviants.

Problem: deviants in the Houses of Correction would corrupt each other which lead to the further
degeneration of moral fibre.

Therefore, different groups (criminals, the insane, the lazy) become separated

Led to the creation of asylums

- discipline changed from physical violence to mental controls, inmates were often treated,
rewarded and punished like children.

Foucault emphasised that modern society rules us with similar mental controls.

Those with specialist knowledge in these areas (doctors, psychiatrists) gained status and recognition

- they could now decide the fate of society

“internalise our responsibility” = we are individually responsible for our own conformity with
society’s rules

The Pillory

Visible humiliation/judgement of deviants in public.

Physical punishments, e.g. hanging, disembowelment, showed the King’s and the ruling class’ power
over deviants.

Panopticism

Make people responsible for their own discipline and change.

The Panopticon

Consisted of cells surrounding a central observation tower.

Opposite to dungeons/ House of Correction as prisoners are not shut away, always visible and
constantly observed.

There’s no chance for collusion as prisoners are always separated.

Once the idea of surveillance is internalised by the prisoner, the need for actual surveillance is
removed as the prisoners start to self-regulate under the impression that they are being watched,
even if they aren’t.

Gave a perfect opportunity to experiment on prisoners’ or asylum inmates’ behaviour.

New Panopticons: CCTV, open plan offices

We are always watched therefore we work

Our behaviour changes as we feel we’re being watched.

Modern bars are open plan as the customers are easier to control.

Every walk of life is scrutinised in some therefore our behaviour subtly changes.

Power and the body

Panoptic power physically affects us in the activities we do/don’t do and the awareness of our
appearance.

Creates a ‘docile’ body – one that is easily controlled/controllable, obedient

“Cult of Health” – constant information about health means we take care of ourselves, therefore we
can be productive.

TV – a controlling, panoptic medium which produces docility and passivity.

Power – someone only has power over you if you submit to it/ allow it.