Panopticism is a concept introduced by Michel Foucault, particularly in his influential book Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison (1975). It is derived from Jeremy Bentham’s Panopticon, an architectural design for a prison where a single guard can observe all inmates without them knowing whether they are being watched at any given moment.
Foucault takes this architectural metaphor and extends it as a model of modern disciplinary power and surveillance in society.
Theoretical Understanding:
Panopticism is not just about spying; it's about a mechanism of control, where power becomes internalized by individuals.
According to Foucault, in modern societies:
"The perfection of power should tend to render its actual exercise unnecessary."
In other words, constant visibility (or the possibility of being watched) disciplines people to behave as if they are always under surveillance, even if no one is watching. This is self-regulation through internalized power.
So, Panopticism is:
- A system of control,
- Rooted in surveillance,
- Producing docile bodies who regulate themselves.
Practical Implication:
- Today, we see Panopticism in:
- CCTV surveillance
- Data tracking by tech companies
- Social media monitoring
- Classroom surveillance or workplace performance systems
In all these, people change their behavior because they believe they are being watched — even if they aren't — which proves Foucault's idea of disciplinary power through visibility.
❌ Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
Antonio Gramsci – Known for the concept of Cultural Hegemony, not Panopticism.
Slavoj Žižek – A postmodern theorist focused on ideology and psychoanalysis, not the originator of this term.
Roland Barthes – A literary theorist, known for works like "Mythologies" and the concept of the “Death of the Author”, not Panopticism.
✅ Correct Answer:
(2) Michel Foucault
He coined and theorized "Panopticism" as a key concept in understanding modern power, surveillance, and self-discipline.
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