Fanon on the troubles of National Consciousness

Fanon expresses the necessity of a sense of nationalism in order to have a revolution. The colonized must become aware of their oppression in order to rise up and take what has been taken from them. However, Fanon finds many flaws in a postcolonial society. After the colonizer is removed from the region, the proletariat must take power, also removing the native bourgeosie. He expresses that the native upper class lack motivation and the necessary skills to elimiate the colonial system implemented by the previous power.

So, the emphasis on nationalism is crucial for revolution. But the major flaws in nationalism is the fear of the oppressed becoming the opressor. Nationalism by itself cannot institute the government Fanon advocates because its function is divisive. Those strongly promoting nationalism creates a stark model that makes distinctions in class, race, and possibly religious structures. Revolutionaries must understand that while natiopnalism is important, a sense of social equality will bring about governments free from oppression.

Foucault on "The Means of Correct Training"

Foucault now turns his attention to "The Means of Correct Training". This is the disciplinary process which creates "individuals". Foucault stresses to show how strange and twisted this process actually is. Disciplinary power depends on the successful functioning of three components: Heirarchal observation, normalizing judgement, and examination. He explains that observation is key in instilling discipline and it is present in all major societal institutions. Its function is to force people to exhibit desired behaviors by means of strict surveillance. Normalizing judmement takes what is seen as "abnormal" and trajects it into what is considered "normal". And finally, examination is the process that combines the two previous elements and utilizes them. Here the "individual" is observed, written on, and analyzed.

These elements of discipline are crucial pieces in Foucaults attempt to discredit the disciplinary process. To most people, to be an "individual", one is unique equipped with creativity and spontaneity. The disciplinary system takes away from human capacity and potential, making any normal individual, "abnormal". This process aims to disconnect the individual from the masses and isolating them to assimilate to "normal" behavior. This clearly takes a rather simple concept of individuality, twists it and uses it to create the exact opposite.

Foucault: Docile Bodies

Foucault used the term docility to explain how control and power was achieved through actions of discipline. This was a way of controlling the operations and positions of the body. He said that the body was a subject of attention and though people were no longer subjected to force, violence, or torture, the body was now subject to discipline and control. Foucault submitted that this same discipline was used in monastaries and armies. Through the strict behavior and rituals followed by the monks and the strict drill sessions and ettiquete of soldiers, discipline depends on the idea of series; the ranks and lines of monks and soldiers. Foucault also goes on to say that the same method of discipline which fixes individuals in time and space is used om schools, prisons, and hospitals.

Foucault's analysis of discipline could not be more accurate. Discipline is used through all institutions of social life. Whether it be school, work, prision, church, or hospitals; everyone involved is subject to an extent of discipline. As humans, we are subjects of habit and consistency. Discipline takes that and uses it to fix every subject to assimilate to certain rules or guidelines posed by each particular institution. Foucault also posed exercise as a method of discipline. I couldn't agree more. Exercise is definitely a method of discipline because one subjects the body to a controlled routine and strict maintenance. Though discipline is clearly physical, it is the mental control that makes it most effective. Since our bodies and minds work synonomously, control and discipline of the body, yeilds control and discipline of the mind.