From the Panopticon to Disney World - The Development of Discipline (From Perspectives in Criminal Law, P 335-349, 1984, Anthony N Doob and Edward L Greenspan, eds. - See NCJ-99791)

• NCJ Number: 99800
• Author(s): C D Shearing; P C Stenning
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Canada Law Book
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

This essay compares the moral discipline represented in Bentham's Panopticon with instrumental discipline manifested in the crowd control mechanisms of Disney World.

Abstract

Discipline is a means of teaching or training persons to behave and believe in certain ways. Moral discipline intends to develop persons who believe and act in accordance with the moral ideals of the person doing the disciplining. Instrumental discipline is governed by behavioral goals determined by the disciplinarian which meet the disciplinarian's needs, whether it is to make money, reduce shoplifting, or reduce conflict. Disney World is an example of instrumental discipline, as employees, architectural design, and surveillance guide crowds through an ordered and safe tour of Disney World. Conformity to the Disney World discipline is based on crowd cooperation, which in turn stems from the crowd's desire to receive the benefits of Disney World (failure to abide by park rules could result in ejection). Instrumental discipline currently dominates social control, as people are seduced to conform with the behavioral norms set by large institutions which offer financial and status benefits for those who conform to corporate behavioral requirements. 13-item bibliography.