Panopticism
Panopticism is a social theory originally developed by French philosopher Michel Foucault in his book, Discipline and Punish.
Summary
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Concept
A Panopticon is a building structured in a circle with an observation tower in the center surrounded by an outer wall made up of cells for the incarceration or mental patients or convicts. The purpose of the design is to increase the security through the effectiveness of the survillance. The convict cannot see the other inmates through the concrete walls and is flooded with light so that everything he does can be observed by the central tower.
In Discipline and Punishment, Foucault builds on the idea of a panopticon as concieved by Bentham, and elaborates upon the function of discipline in the prison, and disciplinary mechanisms in every day society, as to illustrate the function of discipline as an apparatus of power
Examples in modern society
A central idea to Foucault’s Panopticism is the systematic ordering and controlling of human populations through subtle and often unseen forces. This is apparent in many parts of the modernized world. Modern advances in technology and surveillance techniques have made Foucault’s theories all the more pertinent to any scrutiny of the relationship between the state and its population.
It could also be argued that increased surveillance technologies represent a threat to the panoptic ideal of the inmates essentially governing themselves. Foucault argues that Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon provides us with a model in which a disciplined society has been able to develop. These disciplines are essential if we are to govern ourselves, without the constant surveillance and intervention by state apparatuses in every aspect of our lives. The extent to which the state can observe everywhere is limited. Surveillance cameras serve more to remind the governed that they are not being watched more often than they are.
England and Wales
The use of photographic surveillance began in 1913 with the surreptitious taking of pictures from disguised locations of the suffragette inmates of Holloway Prison. The first use on record of camera surveillance in public space was that of the Metropolitan Police at Trafalgar Square in 1960. They used two temporary cameras to monitor crowds during the arrival of the Thai royal family and on Guy Fawkes Day. Between 1960 and 1996, the proliferation of the closed circuit system resulted in government spending on it accounting for more than three-quarters of the total crime prevention budget and a mass demonstration against camera surveillance in Brighton in May 1997. Over the next few years, face and license plate recognition was installed in key positions in London.[1] With the recent 7/7 bombings, the effectiveness of the CCTV system has come under scrutiny, with emerging reports showing little or no deterrence of overall crime in London.[2]
United States
New York City has recently stated ambitions to create its very own 'ring of steel', very much similar to that surrounding London. It would surround 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) of Lower Manhattan and cost $90 million. As of August 2007, the city had raised about $25 million.[3] As in the case of the already installed camera security system in London, its ostensible effectiveness is continually under question.
Notes
- ^ "A history of video surveillance in England". Not Bored!. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
- ^ "Tens of thousands of CCTV cameras, yet 80% of crime unsolved". The Evening Standard. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
- ^ "Ring of Steel' coming to New York". Cable News Network. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
References
- Foucault, Foucault (1995). Discipline & Punish: The Birth of the Prison. New York: Vintage Books. Retrieved 2008-06-15.