DISCIPLINE AND THE CONTROL IN SCHOOLS IN THE TEACHINGS OF MICHEL FOUCAULT Cover Image

DISCIPLINA I KONTROLA U ŠKOLAMA PREMA MICHELU FOUCAULTU
DISCIPLINE AND THE CONTROL IN SCHOOLS IN THE TEACHINGS OF MICHEL FOUCAULT

Author(s): Samedin Kadić
Subject(s): Cultural Essay, Political Essay, Societal Essay
Published by: Rijaset Islamske zajednice u Bosni i Hercegovini

Summary/Abstract: We can summarize and say that Foucault rejects classical sociological interpretations of power, according to which there is always one central power in each society that is vested in sovereignty of a one person or a group of people. In modern societies, according to Foucault such power does not exist. Power is found as constantly vibrating relation of powers, relation that is in a microphysical form stretched throughout an entire society. Foucault’s conception of knowledge is in accord with this: knowledge is a power over the others, it is a power of defining the others. Knowledge and the power are mutually interdependent. Knowledge no longer represents freedom, but it is a way of discipline, regulation and control. Modern society, that is determined by the knowledge, is a society of control. Lawyers and the theoreticians of government of the eighteenth century understood that having people observed is a more effective method and is more useful than individual exemplar punishment. Thus, we reach to the new modus of a constitution and execution of power. In postmonarchic societies, in era of modernity, society is becoming subjective power, that is maintained through the method of observation. Power is exercised in the name of the society, and not in the name of the absolute ruler. Such societies are named by Foucault as disciplinary societies. Discipline is a corporal submission. What happens is a transmission of power from monarchic to a disciplinary power that is perfectly embodied in Benthams outlines of Panopticon. Panopthicism is a projection of modern observative power. It is complementary to the growth of the population that is in demand of new technologies of administration and control in order to solve the problems such as public health, hygiene, living conditions, life expectancy and sexuality. Modern societies exercise control and discipline over their population using the methods and demands of science of human such as : medicine, psychiatry, psychology, criminology and sociology. These disciplines have established certain norms that are reproduced and legitimized through the practice of teachers, social workers,doctors, judges, policemen and directors. Observation is exercised in every institution: the very architecture of schools, factories, army barracks and prisons confirm this. Prisons resemble schools, schools resemble factories, hospitals and vice versa. Educational institutions are nothing but an object of a constatnt observation and latent punishment.

  • Issue Year: 2007
  • Issue No: 32
  • Page Range: 65-74
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Bosnian
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