Foucault's Panopticism

Foucault's Panopticism describes a social system resembling Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon prison design, where individuals feel constantly observed, leading them to regulate their own behavior. In modern society, this concept extends beyond prisons to institutions like schools, workplaces, and digital spaces, where surveillance and monitoring create a sense of being watched. This self-surveillance influences people to conform and follow norms, often subconsciously. Foucault suggests that power is exercised through this pervasive observation, shaping society by encouraging self-discipline and control without direct enforcement.