Surveillant Assemblage - Essay Example

Critically discuss the ‘surveillant assemblage’. How can we explain the intensification of surveillance since 9/11 in relation to this idea? Table of Contents Introduction 2 Discussion 2 Conclusion 6 References 7 Introduction Surveillant assemblage is a system which comprise of a set of theoretical tools which enables people to rethink about the procedure of developing surveillance system. According to Ericson and Haggerty, the Surveillant assemblage is defined as the process of rhizomatic smoothing of the hierarchy of investigation. Moreover, groups those were exempt from the regular routine of surveillance are being monitored. The prolific inventor of the concept was Felix Guattari and Gilles Deleuze. Furthermore, these two philosophers were pivotal for the creation of set of tools. Some of the researcher believes that the event of 9/11 has been the key catalyst for the widening of search authority and police surveillance. In recent years, the perception and viewpoint about the privacy and surveillance has seen as drastic change. The experience of terrorist’s attacks has acted as a watershed event which upsurge the increase in police surveillance. The prime purpose of the paper is to provide vivid explanation about the rise of surveillance since event of 9/11. Discussion The desolation of 9/11 has created a profound impact on the people all over the world. The government of United States and Canada tried to initiate new plan to make national security and public safety as the foremost priority. At the time of crisis, the priority of national security is the supreme consideration of every government. The concept of surveillance can be viewed by people on diverse perspective. Surveillant assemblage is the set of tools which enables to collected information about individuals. The information gathered are collected and assembled to create a personal profile of each individual. The process of surveillance involves in the acquisition of data, which includes transactions data, biometric and biographical data (Squire, 2010, p.81). The overview of radical ideas about multiplicity and diversity in the phenomena has been introduced by Guattari and Deleuze. The variety of heterogeneous object is consisted in the assemblages. Moreover, the unity of the concept is solely based on the fact that these functions work together. Guattari and Deleuze described assemblages as the portion of the state system. This idea of the state form cannot be compared with the traditional apparatuses of rule adopted by government. Kevin Warwick is the professor of reading University, who inserted in forearm a silicon chip transponder. According to Kevin, the surveillance potential implementation of this technology enables to identify the passport details, money transfers, movement and medical records of employees. This can be indicated from example that Surveillant assemblage is heavily reliant on machines to record and make distinct interpretations. The terrorist attack on 9/11 has raised potential question about national and privacy security. Following the attack the democratic government all over the world has introduced legislation. Furthermore, the swift response from governments was to design effective legislation that can help to fight against terrorism and enhance national security. Several anti-terrorism initiatives have been designed by government after 9/11. USA PATRIOT Act was passed by United States Congress to investigate cases that involves in the act of international terrorism and foreign intelligence. The traditional tools of surveillance have been expanded by USA PATRIOT ACT. The escalation of surveillance has been mainly due to the occurrence of terrorist attack on 9/11 (Brysk, 2007, p.59). In the wake of 9/11, it has become pivotal for government to take necessary step for the betterment of national security. The developments of surveillance on the quest of post security after 9/11 event is not new, but it has been strengthened and extended. According to David Lyon, the aftermath of 9/11 has been prime reason behind qualitative changes and developments. Moreover, diverse databases and popularity of iris scans contributed towards the webs of surveillance. The emergence of combination of surveillance technologies has been developed to combat terrorism and crime. The development of Surveillant assemblage is noted by Ericson and Haggerty as something which is driven by desire which helps to bring together the parts of component are composed in to efficient systems. It is an advanced form of security that can be adopted by government to fight against any form of terrorism in future. The event of terrorist attack has led to rise of surveillance. The impact of 9/11 was trembling and is deeply regretted by society of America. The event of 9/11 has been one of the vital turning points in the new role of corporate security within the setting of business both abroad and home. The implementation of advanced surveillance has been one of the primary objectives of government of United States. The idea of Surveillant assemblage is developed by Felix Guattari and Gilles Deleuze which is a technological system that can be used by non-state and state entities to monitor the information about any particular citizen. The assemblage is the theoretical foundation which is composed of the varied of technological forms that can be used for investigation, crime prevention and observe behaviour of any suspect. Moreover, it is regarded as the combination of varied tools of surveillance that is used to prevent occurrence of violent crime, criminal conspiracies and uncover any terrorist activities. The aftermath of 9/11 has increased concerns for government to nullify future terrorist attacks (Mameli, 2011, p.72). The application of Surveillant assemblage is beneficial for prevention of further terrorist activity. Securitization of citizenship vs. safeguarding citizenship is one of the theories that are related to the rise of surveillance after the occurrence of 9/11 attack (Lago, 2010, p.42). The intensified state of surveillance is connected towards the issue of citizenship. Furthermore, the issues are merely discussed and researched. In terms of states, the concept of surveillance is described as the centralizing and centralized organizations which help to keep track of the citizens. It is being described that citizenship and surveillance are both interconnected between each other. The introduction of surveillance assemblage is for safeguarding citizens. Moreover, the change of governments reconstitutes the policies of citizenships. The concept of terrorism is one of the ideas which are connected to the rise of surveillance. The development of the surveillance systems has created stronger certainty that Muslims were the behind the attacks. The concept of terrorism has come in to consideration by knowing the fact that al-Qaeda were the main group of Islamic people that were behind all positive attacks done by passenger planes. The terrorism attack on 9/11 in Washington D.C. and New York City has created more diverse and complex environment. Since 9/11, there has been significant transformation in treat environment. Moreover, this transformation will continue its evolution is future. The concept of terrorism has come in to prominence by occurrence of this terrorist attack and created fear across the globe that it can happen at any place (Buzan, 2009, p.62). Therefore, it has become pivotal for America to keep pace with enemy and implement surveillance for future threat control. The concept of security has seen drastic evolution after the terrorist attack. People have accepted the reduction of privacy. The introduction of full body scanners at airports proves the fact that people are willing to provide their hand for elimination of future terrorist attacks on America. Airplanes are more secure and introduction of additional surveillance to tract any future attack. The application of new legislation and the Patriot Act has effectively expanded the authority of government and president. Furthermore, it expanded the rate of intrusion on to personal lives of people. Every details and information of people can be found and located by government for the prevention of further attack (Giroux, 2013, p.90). The surveillance and security has become primary concern for government. The personal data protection and privacy of individual are respected and ensured by legal tools. These tools ensure that the privacy of the people are not revealed and certifies security for every society. The escalation of use of surveillance is to ensure effective security. The personal information of citizen is shared between agencies. This is done for the name of anti-terrorism and national security. The information is provided to the state security agencies. State borders are now regarded as the site foremost of implementation of any new security practices. Additionally, it is also viewed as the symbolic specializations. The human catastrophe and failure of intelligence has created enormous pressure on government to enhance the security of country to keep up with terrorist activity. The expansion of surveillance systems with technological capabilities is to lessen the risk of attacks. The concept of security has seen drastic change after 9/11 attack on America. Conclusion This can be concluded that the idea of Surveillant is based on the rise of observation and investigation after 9/11 attack. The background of the paper is based on surveillance which describes the activity of police for gathering information about individuals. Surveillant assemblage is described as a set of data or information about individuals from various places such as police reports, social media, personal details and online shopping. The development of surveillance technologies has created open spaces to different organization and agencies. Under the support of the preventive law enforcement, the government of United Stated has reacted towards the crime threats and global terrorism to modify and establish effective privacy protections. The surveillance continues to escalate for benefits of civil lives, civil liberties and safety. Furthermore, police surveillance after 9/11 is to maintain safe society. References Brysk, A., 2007. National Insecurity and Human Rights. Stamford: Cengage Learning. Buzan, B., 2009. The evolution of international security studies. New York: Springer. Giroux, H., 2013. Youth in Revolt. London: Kogan Page. Lago, A., 2010. Conflict, Security and the Reshaping of Society. New York: Springer. Mameli, P., 2011. Security and Privacy. London: Routledge. Squire, V., 2010. The Contested politics of mobility. New Jersey: Pearson. Read More