The modern prison : a conceptual analysis of Michel Foucault’s panopticism versus paternalism in relations to modern day Singapore society

• Main Author: Ho, Glenn Lucius
• Other Authors: Christopher Holman
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities::History::Asia::Singapore::Politics and government
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/76673
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Surveillance as a form of Panopticism had been made popular by Michel Foucault’s disciplinary society in the 18th Century Europe. This surveillance culture and the idea of the panoptic society is still relevant in the local context today. In modern day Singapore, the normalisation of surveillance and the dominancy of the government in controlling its citizens has been controversial as many had complained about the lack of certain freedom in society. Yet when the structure of Singapore society was birthed at its conception, its leaders had claimed that the features, though seemingly panoptic, are however, a result of the Asian values, more specifically, paternalism. This thesis seeks to analyse the underlying question of whether Singapore is truly a panoptic society or if it is just paternalism that had been entrenching its society. A brief summary of Foucault’s concept of power will be discussed. It will be followed by a short exegesis of the history of Singapore’s law system. The concept of Asian values is also discussed to some length, giving explanation to Singapore’s paternalism. Lastly, three case studies will be used to illustrate and explain both panopticism and paternalism elements in Singapore society.