SOC371H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Governmentality, Culture Theory
Document Summary
Brown prison theory: engaging the work of punishment . We all participate in the practice of punishment, there are different ways in which we participate in pain. The different means of participation can be seen as in a continuum where the minimalistic way is to simply witness punishment and the most extreme is to torture, and ultimately kill. Being an observer is always human will and a mode of action. Bearing witness not only demands an experience of the event but carries with it an endless burden of representation and articulation. One of the features of penal spectatorship is that there is often a striking amount of collective enthusiasm and energy in this looking and an inability to turn away. The penal state itself becomes a framing logical not just for places with high crime rates and racial, class and ethnic inequality but also in middle class areas such as offices, universities, airports, neighbourhoods, etc.
