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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page paper which considers the extent to which Australia has become a surveillance society, with specific reference to Foucault's theory of the panopticon. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: JL5_JLsurvsocfct.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Panopticon. This is a system by which a small number of guards can exert effective control over a large number of prisoners. The guard is positioned in such a way
that he has the ability to observe any of the prisoners at any given time; the prisoners, however, cannot see the guard and do not know for certain if they
are actually being watched. The panopticon creates an imbalance of power, not because there are different levels of innate power between the guard and the prisoner, but because the guard
can utilize power whilst the prisoner cannot. Foucault (1995) maintained that through the use of the panopticon, the individual would become
self-disciplined and self-controlled: any prisoner who is within the guards visual range will conform to required behavior, whether he is being watched or not. It is the possibility of being
observed which generates good behavior, and conformity to regulations. The prisoners therefore learn to control themselves according to an externally-imposed system of behavior. In the public sphere, use of this
principle creates a docile population: one which does not transgress rules, or question authority, and which perceives docility as innate. Docility does not, however, imply passivity per se: a docile
population can be quite vocal in its criticism of authority, but since it does not have access to power, this activity cannot effect change or influence public discourse in any
significant way. Foucault also argues that power is not something which is integral to individuals or groups: it is a dynamic
force within society, and it is the extent to which power is used by groups and individuals which is important. The guard is not inherently more powerful than any of
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