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:
- The Sociology and Psychology of Tattoos: Identity, Rebellion, and the Myth of Regret
Tattoos have evolved from rebellious statements to mainstream art, yet stereotypes about intelligence, regret, and professionalism persist. This in-depth exploration covers the cultural history, psychology, and personal motivations behind tattoos—including why some regret them and why many, like me, never will. - The Subtle Art of Sounding Clever (Or Not)Why do some people sound effortlessly intelligent while others struggle to be taken seriously? This deep dive into Basil Bernstein’s theory of elaborated and restricted code explores class, accents, and the hidden power of language—sprinkled with humour and real-world insights.
- The Death of the Phone Call: Why Gen Z Can’t Hold a Phone ProperlyPhone calls are dying, Gen Z refuses to hold a phone properly, and Zoom meetings are the new workplace torture. This humorous yet sociologically informed deep dive explores why phone calls are falling out of favour, why neurodivergent people dread them, and why texting is the future.
- Erving Goffman’s Guide to Faking Your Way Through LifeLife is a performance, and Erving Goffman knew it. From awkward small talk to workplace personas, explore how his social theory explains the farce of daily life—with humour, anecdotes, and a nod to other great sociologists.
- The Class Divide in Lunchboxes: What Diane Reay Taught Us About Inequality in SchoolsDiane Reay’s sharp insights reveal how British schools perpetuate class inequality, from lunchboxes to league tables. A humorous yet critical look at the myths of meritocracy and what needs to change in education.
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.
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