Michael Foucaults Discipline And Punishment Book Analysis

Power, as we learn from the 20th century social theorist Michael Foucault, is knowledge. Wielded as a tool for those whom seek to change the social order power forever switches hands, and belongs to no man for too long completely without consequence. In reference, to Foucault’s Discipline and Punishment: The Birth of the Prison reading while power is knowledge it is kept or maintained through punishment. During the 18th century, corporal punishment was often brutally employed to keep order for those in power. An excerpt from the reading states, â€Å"†¦each drew out a knife from his pocket and cut the body at the thigh instead of severing the legs at the joints; the four horses gave a tug and carried off the two thighs after them, namely, that†¦show more content†¦Gangs as I’ve stated previously were created to combat oppressive higher powers, in modern society while the methods have changed the reasoning has not. Repeatedly placed in systems geared towar d reformation as a result of continuous deviant behavior, once inside prisoners have found a new purpose while locked away. No longer are they paying attention to reformation methods they now are able to congregate with those of a similar mindset, and form new effective methods to combat the evolving higher powers. Turning the system true purpose into a self or group serving opportunity, and the power which was once oppressive becomes empowering. Social theorist Patricia Collins, in Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment, in fact states power can be understood not just as oppression but also as empowerment. (insert citation p.237) While her research is geared towards understanding, and the empowerment of black women Collins makes an excellent point about power inequities among groups. She states, â€Å"power inequities among groups must be addressed before an alternative epistemology†¦. can be utilized.† (insert citation 237) While built upon the oppressive nature of the United States on those whom identity within a minority group, gangs have flourished with certain parts of the US. However, where they have prospered they have also failed with the induction of new members older recruits are bitterly retiredShow MoreRelatedMichael Foucault s Discipline And Punish : The Birth Of The Prison Essay2061 Words   |  9 PagesMichael Foucault’s chapter Panopticism from hi s book Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, analyzes how power has advanced through the use of surveillance. The chapter explores how surveillance first evolved when the King was the overall dictator and enforcer. The King held all the power; he decided which rules must be followed and the consequences or punishments that were applicable when these rules were disregarded. The idea of observation and surveillance first evolved when the plagueRead MoreThe Casey Anthony Case Essay2176 Words   |  9 Pagesrepresents this. The discussion of the complexities of the case and its connotations will incorporate Stuart Hall’s Representation and the Media, Robert Hariman’s Performing the Laws, What is Ideology by Terry Eagleton, The Body of the Condemned by Michael Foucault, and a number of news articles, which will reveal disparate ideas of representation in the media, and the role of the performers of the law and their effect on the understanding of the case. To begin, I will provide a summary of what happenedRead MoreEssay on Understanding Change15189 Words   |  61 Pagesspectator view of knowledge 1.7 Summary Study questions Exercises Further reading References 4 6 6 7 8 13 16 18 20 22 24 24 25 28 28 29 30 33 35 35 36 36 4 UNDERSTANDING CHANGE 1.1 Introduction This chapter lays the framework for this book by arguing that organizational change is developed within models and frameworks that inform our understanding of the subject. In this chapter we will learn that knowledge and practice of organizational change are influenced by assumptions derived fromRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pages. Organization Theory Challenges and Perspectives John McAuley, Joanne Duberley and Phil Johnson . This book is, to my knowledge, the most comprehensive and reliable guide to organisational theory currently available. What is needed is a text that will give a good idea of the breadth and complexity of this important subject, and this is precisely what McAuley, Duberley and Johnson have provided. They have done some sterling service in bringing together the very diverse strands of work