Differences of Discipline and Control - Essay Example

Differences Between Discipline and Control Differences Between Discipline and Control submission) Differences of Discipline and Control In the twentieth century, individuals were trained to operate in accordance with the rules and regulations of each societal institution to behave for the common good. However, as the time changes the function of the societal institutions to discipline individuals has started to decline and is threatened to be substituted. Their goal was no longer that of inculcating reformation but on competition which predisposes individual to a harsher confinement. Understanding the differences between discipline and control explains the changing role of the institution in this contemporary period. Discipline is the constant and strict implementation of the functions of the institution for the person to behave almost automatically with the code accorded. This is exemplified in schools where students have to wear proper school uniform for certain number of days in school and non compliance call s for a punishment. As a result, pupils adhere to such discipline even without being reminded. Although, the practice involves domination of those in authorities, such manipulation of their subject constitutes an elegant form of discipline so that tyranny or violence does not become a part of it making the submission of the subjects to the authority respectable. Subjects understand that discipline is not for personal gain or monetary purposes but essential to the welfare of the society in general. For instance, military soldiers who were trained to endure life’s challenges are called for during calamities and war to help and nurses who are disciplined to treat people may attend to communities where epidemic outbreaks occur. However, to achieve the desired discipline effectively, Focault (1995) suggested that it should be done in a closed system where boundaries have to be established to restrict movements and other factors which may disrupt its implementation. Such enclosures will train their subjects with the code of conduct commensurate with the mission, goals and objective of the institution where in subjects may go through a process of exploration, dismantling, and rearrangement. This characterizes the kind of discipline one had received so that outsiders could readily identify those who are disciplined in the military barracks, schools, monasteries, and in prison among others. If the essence of discipline is to mold an individual, control is different in its purpose. It is a form of modulation that may form or deform individuals. This is apparent in factory institutions where production has to be maintained in its highest level but salary is controlled to be in its lowest term. If bonuses are offered, it has to be in the form of challenging tasks to the disadvantages of the workers but to the benefit of the bosses. Since everybody is motivated to reach their highest possible production for money, this scheme of training often times results in rivalry among workers to the extent of creating grudge thus unity is undermined. Not only in factories control is applied but it had crept to the doors of schools as well. Continues training is seen to threaten the importance of examination and comes a time schools will be maneuvered by corporations (Deleuze, 1992). Control could also be a source of corruption. Workers who used to monetary incentives become greedy at the expense of others. For instance, nurses who work in an environment motivated with monetary incentives for their promotion are likely to cheat just to achieve positions which may give them the highest salary increment. Staffs who have the “key” to the bosses may use it for the same reason without qualifying themselves to reach the top. Ordinary employees who possess the qualification for promotion may be disregarded. This opens another door to inequality. Capitalism is encouraged where managers or leaders are positioned because they are the stock holders and not for their qualification and experiences. With this, individuals hungry for such position become interested in stocks and not the discipline or education required of becoming a manager. Stocks are of interest because it is the only means to have control with the organization at the expense of service. Another difference of these two terms is the length spent for their subjects. Discipline goes a long way. Traditionally, a person is passed from one institution to another thus time is required before an individual is well disciplined to be what he has become. For instance, the individual starts his training at home where the family functions as the regulator of the behavior. As the person moves out of his home environment, his discipline is continued in school. Teachers and administrators impose the required rules and regulations. Discipline will be finalized in higher institutions like the military barracks, church, monasteries or other institutions depending on the individual’s choice of discipline. On the other hands, control operates in a short period of time because of the fast turnover of employees who are trained. Training only takes several weeks to months however after sometimes of exhasuting the skill of individuals who were trained, they could be replaced with another fresh trainee. This process goes on and on since production is deemed empirical to stock holders. Over all, control to me is becoming dominant in this contemporary time as seen in most firms and other organizations today. This is because institution starting from the family to school and other institutions are becoming dysfunctional giving opportunistic capitalists the chance to enter the scene. Wilson and Kelling (1982) support such notion in stating that broken windows in the form of abandoning functions could invite negative situations which could be more dangerous thus they advised that cracks on windows should not be left unattended. I also agree with the idea of Burroughs (Deleuze, 1992) in saying control is becoming a “new monster” as evident in the increasing number of homeless walking on the streets. There will come a time thousands will be heavily indebted and overthrown from their homes to the shanties. References Deleuze, G. (1992). Postscript on the societies of control. MIT press. P 3-7. Retrieved from http://abdn.ac.uk/modern/node/109. on August 20, 2011. Focault, M. (1995). Discipline and punishment: The birth of the prison. Vintage publisher. New York. Wilson, J., & Kelling, G. (1982). The police neighborhood safety: Broken windows. The Atlantic magazine. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/03/broken- on August 20, 2011. windows/4465/5/ Read More