PANOPTIKON – VIDLJIVA I NEPROVJERLJIVA MOĆ
PANOPTICON – VISIBLE AND UNVERIFIABLE POWER

Summary/Abstract: Jeremy Bentham presents the panopticon as a special institution, tightly closed in itself, presenting it as a utopian model of perfect imprisonment, a cruel and expertly made cage, which is polyvalent in its application, serves to punish prisoners, treat the sick, teach students, guard the insane, supervising workers, forcing beggars and idlers to work. Its effectiveness in distributing the power of control is made possible by no other tool than that of architecture and geometry, acting directly on individuals, giving spirit power over spirit. The structure of the panopticon provides the supervisor with constant visibility along the axis of the ring, and neutralizes the danger of inmates' rebellion, escape attempts, bad mutual influence, fear of mutual violence in the case of lunatics, and no cheating on exams, arguments, or noise in the case of students. From there, it is not necessary to constantly monitor the detainee, the effect of the panopticon consists in the fact that the detainee knows that he can be the subject of someone's observation at any moment. Therefore, Bentham established the principle that power must be visible and unverifiable.

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