Sociology often feels like a treasure chest where the jewels are buried under layers of jargon. Yet, if you dig deep enough, you’ll find thinkers like Michel Foucault—who, while no less complex, turns out to be more like an eccentric guide in a maze of power structures and philosophical intrigue. If Pierre Bourdieu was the Hercule Poirot of social capital, Foucault is the Sherlock Holmes of societal systems, piecing together how we’re shaped, watched, and controlled without even noticing.
His work dives into the subtle forces that govern our behaviour, from institutions to surveillance to the very nature of knowledge itself. If you’ve ever felt like society is one big game where someone forgot to give you the rulebook, congratulations—you’re already halfway to understanding Foucault.
Power: More Than a Game of Thrones
Foucault didn’t see power as something you simply “had,” like a crown or Karen’s unlimited supply of office biscuits. Power, in his view, wasn’t a top-down structure where a king tells the peasants what to do. Instead, it’s everywhere—a network of influence that flows through relationships, institutions, and even casual conversations. Think of power as less of a hammer and more of a Wi-Fi signal. It’s invisible, it’s everywhere, and if you don’t understand how it works, you’re probably being controlled by it.
Take the workplace, for instance. On paper, your boss might hold “the power,” but Foucault would point out that power also lives in those unspoken rules about not taking the last slice of cake in the breakroom or the pressure to reply to emails at 11 p.m. Society’s systems quietly nudge you to conform, without the need for outright force.
The Panopticon: Bentham’s Big Brother on Steroids
If Foucault is Sherlock, then Jeremy Bentham is his slightly diabolical predecessor, responsible for inventing the Panopticon—a circular prison where inmates are watched from a central tower. The genius? The guards don’t even need to be watching at all times; the prisoners simply assume they are. Foucault took this idea and ran with it, seeing the Panopticon not just as a prison design, but as a metaphor for modern society.
Ever feel like someone’s watching you? That’s the Panopticon effect. From CCTV cameras to social media likes, we’re constantly aware of the potential gaze of others, and it shapes how we act. It’s the reason you dress up for a Zoom meeting (at least from the waist up) or hesitate before posting that questionable tweet. Foucault argued that this internalised surveillance keeps us in check, turning us into our own wardens.
Knowledge is Power, But Mostly Power
For Foucault, knowledge and power were two sides of the same coin. The phrase “knowledge is power” might sound like something you’d see on a motivational poster, but Foucault meant it quite literally. Institutions like schools, hospitals, and even Wikipedia shape what we know and, by extension, how we behave.
Consider the concept of “normal.” Who decides what’s normal? Foucault would argue it’s those with the power to define knowledge. From education systems to government policies, what we accept as truth is often a reflection of who holds the pen, not necessarily what’s objective or fair. This is why Foucault’s work is often used to critique everything from medical diagnoses to how history is written—because even facts aren’t free from bias.
Discipline: More Than Just a Naughty Word
Discipline, for Foucault, wasn’t just about keeping people in line; it was about creating the kind of people who would keep themselves in line. Institutions like schools, prisons, and offices don’t just enforce rules—they shape identities. You don’t just follow the rules; you become the kind of person who believes in them.
Take gym culture, for example. You start going to stay healthy, but soon you’re tracking macros, feeling guilty about missing leg day, and judging anyone who doesn’t know the difference between a kettlebell and a dumbbell. Discipline isn’t just about control; it’s about shaping who we are and what we value.
Resistance: Foucault’s Hopeful Twist
Despite all this talk of power and control, Foucault wasn’t a pessimist. He believed that wherever there’s power, there’s also resistance. The fact that you’re reading this article and nodding along means you’re already questioning the systems shaping your life—and that’s the first step toward change.
Whether it’s challenging the 9-to-5 grind, questioning societal norms, or simply refusing to log into Slack after 6 p.m., resistance doesn’t have to be grand. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying, “No thanks, I don’t actually like oat milk,” even when everyone around you is ordering oat lattes.
Conclusion: Having Fun with Foucault
Michel Foucault’s work might seem dense at first, but beneath the jargon lies a simple, relatable truth: society shapes us in ways we don’t always see, but we have the power to push back. Whether you’re navigating office politics, deciding what to post on Instagram, or wondering why you feel guilty for taking a mental health day, Foucault is there, nodding knowingly.
So the next time you feel the invisible hand of social control—whether it’s a passive-aggressive email from your boss or an Instagram ad making you question your skincare routine—take a moment to laugh. Foucault explained it all decades ago. And knowing is half the battle—or, in his words, half the power.
You may also be interested in these Sociology articles:
- Yolks and Hierarchies: The Great Eggonomic Divide
What does your choice of Easter chocolate say about class, culture, and control? A sociological deep-dive into post-Easter parenting, chocolate hierarchies, and the curious case of carob eggs. - The Sociology of Theme Parks: Manufactured Joy and Queue-Based HierarchiesEaster at a theme park: overpriced balloons, endless queues, and manufactured joy zones. Dive into the sociology of theme parks — where capitalism meets candyfloss-fuelled chaos.
- Grounded Theory: Making It Up As You Go Along (But With Integrity)Grounded Theory: the beloved chaos engine of qualitative research. This witty deep dive explores the strange brilliance of making up your theory as you go—complete with NVivo-induced despair, reflexive diary entries, and the comforting lie of theoretical saturation.
- The Rolling Death of Workplace Introductions: A Sociological Study in Social SurvivalWorkplace introductions are a bureaucratic ritual we all suffer through. From Goffman’s performance theory to Foucault’s power structures, this humorous sociological analysis explores why the dreaded “go around the table” exercise exists—and why we will never escape it.
- Breaching Experiments in the Wild: How to Cause Social Chaos with Minimal EffortEver wondered how fragile social norms really are? Harold Garfinkel did—and he proved it with experiments that sent people into quiet existential crises. From facing the wrong way in a lift to answering “How are you?” with honesty, here’s how to break unspoken rules and watch society panic.
AJ Wright is a quiet yet incisive voice navigating the surreal world of sociology, higher education, and modern life through the unique lens of a neurodivergent mind. A tech-savvy PhD student hailing from South Yorkshire but now stationed in the flatlands of Lincolnshire, AJ writes with an irreverence that strips back the layers of academia, social norms, and the absurdities of daily life to reveal the humour lurking beneath.
As an autistic thinker, AJ’s perspective offers readers a rare blend of precision, curiosity, and wit. From dissecting the unspoken rituals of academia—like the silent war over the office thermostat—to exploring the sociology of “neurotypical small talk” and the bizarre hierarchies of campus coffee queues, AJ turns the ordinary into something both profound and hilarious.
AJ’s unassuming nature belies the sharpness of their commentary, which dives deep into the intersections of neurodiversity, tech culture, and the often-overlooked quirks of human behaviour. Whether questioning why university bureaucracy feels designed by Kafka or crafting surreal parodies of academic peer reviews, AJ writes with a balance of quiet intensity and playful absurdity that keeps readers coming back for more.
For those seeking a blog that is equal parts insightful, irreverent, and refreshingly authentic, AJ Wright provides a unique perspective that celebrates neurodiversity while poking fun at the peculiarities of the world we live in. Also a contributor at Thinking Sociologically.
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