How does the panopticon work?
From the Greek for "all-seeing," the panopticon was designed by utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Cells ring the outside of a circular building around a central watchtower. The cells are lit and the tower is dark, so prisoners never know when they're being watched—and behave as if they always are, even with no guard present.
Why did Foucault focus on it?
Foucault argued modern power works not through public spectacle like executions but through invisible surveillance and discipline. Schools, hospitals, factories, and armies observe, record, and rank people, who internalize that gaze and regulate themselves. The idea now extends to the electronic panopticon of CCTV, location data, and algorithms, and the synopticon, where the many watch the few.
FAQ
- Was a panopticon ever built?
- Not exactly as Bentham planned, but Cuba's Presidio Modelo closely follows the circular design.
- What's the synopticon?
- A media-driven setup in which the many watch the few, like celebrities and politicians.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
References
- Bentham, J. (1791). Panopticon; or, The Inspection-House.
- Foucault, M. (1975). Surveiller et punir: Naissance de la prison. Gallimard.
- Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. PublicAffairs.