Surveillance Theory and Its Impact

These flashcards cover key concepts related to surveillance theory, the influence of George Orwell, and the implications of disciplinary power in society.

What is theory according to the lecture notes?

An explanation of natural/social phenomena that answers 'why'.

What are some important traits of a good theory?

Explanatory framework; researchable; operationalizable concepts; testable; verifiable/revisable; not one-size-fits-all; actionable for policy/human practice; useful.

What does surveillance theory focus on?

It explains what visibility does to people and institutions, how being watched shapes behavior, and links visibility to social control.

Who was George Orwell?

An author upset about imperial inequality, who lived among the poor, identified as a socialist, and drew on his experiences to write '1984'.

What are some themes of '1984'?

Surveillance, totalitarianism, bureaucracy, and the control of truth.

What role does bureaucracy play in the state function as discussed in the notes?

Bureaucracy rewrites history and emphasizes data as power.

What is the significance of telescreens in '1984'?

Telescreens are used for non-consensual observation and broadcasting that leads to self-censorship and loss of privacy.

What does thoughtcrime refer to in '1984'?

A crime that criminalizes interior life and enables preemptive control of dissent.

What is panopticism and its relation to societal control?

A generalized logic of surveillance across society that enables self-policing and produces docile behaviors.

Who was Jeremy Bentham and what is he known for?

A philosopher known for utilitarianism and for designing the panopticon.

What does Foucault analyze with the concept of the panopticon?

He uses it as a metaphor for the shift from sovereign spectacle to disciplinary power in modern institutions.

What are the effects of disciplinary power as mentioned in the notes?

Internalized gaze, routinized discipline, and the co-production of knowledge and power that creates social norms.

What is the Hawthorne effect?

The phenomenon where performance increases when individuals know they are being observed.

How does everyday panopticism manifest in modern society?

Through CCTV-saturated workplaces, social media metrics, and self-tracking technologies.

What is the impact of surveillance practices on behavior as described in the notes?

Surveillance modifies conduct, manufactures obedience, and aligns behavior to political ends.

What are Orwellian echoes in today's context?

Modern technologies like smart speakers and surveillance cameras that prompt preemptive conformity.