Surveillance & Social Control Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is Synopticon Surveillance?
Everyone watches everyone else; citizens monitor authorities using media, e.g., filming police wrongdoing.
What does Thompson say about politicians and surveillance?
Politicians fear media surveillance because it can uncover damaging information.
What is Liquid Surveillance?
Constant monitoring through digital means (CCTV, store cards, number plate recognition, digital footprint).
What is the Panopticon?
A prison design where prisoners can’t see guards but are always visible, leading to self-discipline due to uncertainty.
What is Self-Surveillance?
Monitoring one’s own behavior due to fear of judgment by others (e.g., new mothers).
: What does Lyon say about Surveillance Societies?
Technology makes our lives transparent, privacy is diminished, and surveillance becomes normalized.
What is a Disciplinary Society according to Foucault?
A society that uses mental control via surveillance rather than physical punishment; leads to carceral culture.
What is a Post-Panoptical Society?
Bauman and Lyon: We know we’re being watched, and liquid surveillance monitors all aspects of life.
What did the Kilburn Experiment show (Newburn & Heyman)?
CCTV protects civil liberties and law enforcement; used as evidence by both prosecution and defense.
What is Synoptic Surveillance (Mathieson)?
Media allows mutual surveillance; people watch each other and authorities using smartphones, dashcams, etc.
Arguments for surveillance as social control?
Reduces fear of crime
Helps fight terrorism
Provides evidence for legal cases
Arguments against surveillance as social control?
Oppressive (few control many)
Limited behavior change (Norris, Loveday & Gill)
Erodes civil liberties
What is Actuarial Justice (Feely & Simon)?
: Prevents crime using profiling & algorithms to assess risk (e.g., airport security checks).
