Blog Task: The Panopticon

London Underground’s Oyster Card is a prime example of panopticism. While it claims to make journeys and paying easier, and arguably does, it also has a secondary role as an extra security force- tracking each persons movements from the moment they touch in, including how long they have been on the network.

In a metaphorical sense, this is a devolution of power. Foucault states that ‘each street is placed under the authority of a syndic, who keeps it under surveillance’ (Foucault in Discipline & Punish, 1977, P61). In this case, a metro network has been placed under the authority of a syndic.

He also mentions that ‘the crowd is abolished and replaced by a collection of separated individualities’(Foucault in Discipline & Punish, 1977, P65). Perhaps formerly, commuters thought they could merge into one mass- now each is tracked as individuals.

It’s also a clear example of submitted power by the bearer; ‘the inmates should be caught up in a power situation of which they themselves are the bearers’(Foucault in Discipline & Punish, 1977, P65). No-one is forced to get an Oyster card, but an increasing majority submit to it.

Oyster has enabled outer stations to not have ticket barriers; instead penalties ‘may’ be incurred if you do not touch in/out; comparable to the Foulcauldian idea that ‘there are no more bars, chains or heavy locks’(Foucault in Discipline & Punish, 1977, P66).

Oyster claims to be an easy fare paying system when actually it cannot be linked to any specific use. Foulcault says a panopticon is a figure of political technology that may and must be detached from any specific use. Through Oyster’s party-political foundings (a Livingstone project) used for other purposes (security/tracking/surveillance) and its obvious use, it is a clear example of a panoptic method of control.

Foulcalt, M (1977), Penguin Books Ltd, London