Panopticism is a theory of social control that is based on surveillance, indicating that there are always people watching your every move.  This theory is depicted in the book 1984 by George Orwell.

1984 is one of Orwell’s best-crafted novels, and it remains one of the most powerful warnings ever issued against the dangers of a totalitarian society.  In this dystopian future of 1984, everyone is in a state of fear because they are afraid that they are always being watched and if one person does something wrong, they are taken away and never seen again.  Posters of "Big Brother", the Party leader, with the caption BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, dominate the city landscapes.  There are also two-way television (telescreen) which takes over the private and public spaces of people’s homes and work.  Michel Foucault created the theory of Panopticism in his book Discipline and Punish.  Foucault has the same idea as the telescreens in 1984.  The telescreens are a way of surveillance to spy on those members of the inner party that are against Big Brother and his ideas.  Foucault came up with the theory of panopticism as a way to watch people just like Big Brother is always watching you in 1984.  Panopticism in dystopian society is a way to keep people in a state of fear so that they will not do anything wrong like going against Big Brother and his ideas.  This theory makes sure that everyone will obey the law of Big Brother or in any society.