An Introduction to Critical Social Psychology by Hepburn Alexa;

Author:Hepburn, Alexa;
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 1023905
Publisher: SAGE Publications, Limited
Published: 2002-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

Power, subjectivity and the panopticon

Foucault suggests that mechanisms of surveillance have gradually taken over as a means of control, replacing the traditional ‘top down’ power of the sovereign over his/her subjects. Our thinking hasn’t caught up, though and we still tend to think of power as something exerted upon the individual from above. Foucault uses Jeremy Bentham’s plan for a new kind of prison as a metaphor that vividly illustrates this new form of disciplinary technology.

The prison consists of a large courtyard with a central tower, surrounded by cells lit up from the back, so that every action of the prisoner can be seen by the guards who are based in the central tower. ‘They are like so many cages, so many small theatres, in which each actor is alone, perfectly individualized and constantly visible . . . Visibility is a trap.’ (Foucault, 1977: 200). Inmates are visible to the guards but cannot in turn see their captors. Thus prisoners are led to monitor themselves, always aware that authority may be observing their actions. The operation of power is not overtly discernible to the prisoners (it does not depend on chains, threats and physical force), rather they are ‘policing’ themselves.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Q

To extend Foucault’s metaphor a little, we could say that developing a preoccupation with subjectivity is a useful device for developing a docile population.

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