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The Discipline of Punish written by Michel Foucault focuses on the notion of discipline in our society. He discusses how people with power enforce ideology upon the lower classes. The main concept he focuses on to enforce this idea is a type of architecture. The style he is referring to is a Panopticon. A Panopticon is a structure used primarily in prisons (it has also been used in work environments, hospitals, and educational institutions) that allows the people of power (police, prison guards, etc...) to watch the prisoners (or in some cases, students, patients, etc...). The Panopticon does not allow the prisoner to see who is watching them. In this we see a power struggle and a repressive situation for individuals not in power. There is an implied power that messes with minds instead of physical harassment.
The concept of the Panopticon reminded me of George Orwell's novel 1984 and the 'Big Brother' concept. Everyone is being watched, there is no sense of privacy, nothing is secret. This is a way that the people in power can maintain control. It also relates to the 1920's film Metropolis that touches on issues between the working class and the people in power in capitalist society. All three examples express a desire for control and a lack of ability for those not in control to 'move up'.
Metropolis clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j8Ba9rWhUg
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