A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON GLOBALIZING
SURVEILLANCE
Fathima Saniya, Vth Integrated MA Sociology, Carmel College. [ Autonomous ], Mala, Kerala, India,
saniyafathima717@[Link], 7736556717.
Abstract
The Globalizing surveillance is an increase in interconnectedness and progress of
surveillance practices across borders, driven by technological advancements. This paper
critically examines the central issues such as the digital divide, social inequality, global
governance, and human rights. It deepens existing inequalities, raises privacy concerns, and
demands stronger regulation to protect individual freedoms. The paper explores the title using
literature review and conceptual analysis methods. The theoretical framework of Michel
Foucault's concept of the panopticon, discussed in his 1975 book “Discipline and Punish”,
describes a prison design where a guard can monitor inmates without them knowing. This
theory illustrates how societies control individuals, a concept that still applies today. For
example, the use of surveillance cameras in cities mirrors the panopticon principle of
observation.
The paper also explores the theme of future directions in the sociology of surveillance. From
a sociological perspective, globalization and surveillance are seen as a complex interaction of
technology, power, and social structures. This viewpoint emphasizes how surveillance can
both reinforce and challenge existing inequalities, raise concerns about privacy, and influence
individual behavior. By investigating these issues, sociology provides insights into the
broader social implications of surveillance in our interconnected world and clarifies the
relationship between surveillance and society.
Key Words: - Globalization - Surveillance - digital divide - inequality - power – privacy
- Panpoticon
