"Panopticism"

Panopticism is a social theory introduced by Michel Foucault that describes how institutions and systems structure power and surveillance. It is based on the metaphor of the panopticon—a circular prison design where a single watchman can observe all inmates without them knowing if they are watched. In broader society, panopticism refers to how surveillance becomes a pervasive tool for controlling behavior, encouraging individuals to regulate themselves because they believe they are always potentially being watched. This creates a form of discipline that extends beyond prisons into workplaces, schools, and other social institutions, shaping behavior through constant observation and self-monitoring.