Foucault’s sociological theory is based on the concept of power, as well as the uses and forms of power. He describes power as being used to influence knowledge and, consequently, discourse. Furthermore, Foucault lays out the formation of regulatory and disciplinary power. Regulatory power is used to regulate the movement, the space, and the time of populations through direct force. This form is visible, present, and is akin to domination. Disciplinary power, however, used to regulate the movement, the space, and the time of groups of people through indirect force. It is more concerned with maintaining an environment that influences the population to self-police themselves internally. This form of power creates a docile, easily controlled population. Disciplinary power, Foucault claims, is the evolutionary form of regulatory power.
These aspects of Foucault’s sociological theory are present in Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek: The Next Generation, a sci-fi television series that aired from 1987-1994. The series follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew aboard the starship Enterprise, exploring new worlds and civilizations in the universe (Star Trek: The Next Generation). An episode titled “Justice” contains many of the forms and characteristics of power. Jean-Luc Picard and his crew visit Edo, a friendly yet primitive planet, for shore leave. One of the crew, Wesley Crusher, accidentally breaks an Edo-an law while on the planet. Although it was a minor accident, the crew suddenly learns that on Edo the only punishment administered for any law broken is death. Jean-Luc has a meeting with some of the people of Edo and tries to explain that his people no longer use capital punishment. One of the people of Edo responds, saying, “…since you are advanced in other ways too, I suggest you use your superior powers to rescue the Wesley boy...” Captain Picard responds, “unfortunately, we have a law known as the Prime Directive’” (Roddenberry). This makes for a difficult situation because everyone aboard the Enterprise must obey the Prime Directive. It is a rule stating that Starfleet personnel can’t interfere with the development of alien civilizations and prohibits any crew from using advanced technology to impose their own beliefs on the developing civilization (Roddenberry). Although they have superior technology and can easily steal Wesley from under the Edo-ans, they adhere to the Prime Directive. This example speaks volumes to the disciplinary power of Starfleet. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, although desperately wanting to save Wesley, has internalized the Prime Directive learned at Starfleet Academy and is self-policing his actions because of it. Foucault describes disciplinary power as being internalized and self-policing.
Another example of disciplinary power in this episode is the almost invisibility of Starfleet itself. Starfleet, the command that supervises The Enterprise, is never seen in this episode. No one from Starfleet is directly and presently monitoring how Jean-Luc handles this situation (Roddenberry). Even so, Jean-Luc follows protocol as if he were being directly monitored. Foucault states that a characteristic of disciplinary power is that it is not overtly visible or present – it doesn’t have to be.
Another example of the episode portraying elements of power is seen in the context of the situation. Because of the Prime Directive, the crew seems powerless to save Wesley. They are now at the mercy of the people of Edo (Roddenberry). The Enterprise can wield a lot of power in certain situations, however. At the beginning of the episode, Jean-Luc states in his “Captain’s Log” that they have just planted a human colony on an empty solar system nearby before taking their shore leave on Edo (Roddenberry). Being able to plant human colonies on other empty planets, essentially being able to foster life, is something very powerful. However, in the situation with Wesley, they are rendered helpless because of one simple rule. This, according to Foucault, is because different situations and contexts determine the kinds of power available.
On the other side of the spectrum, regulatory power/sovereign power is dominant form on the planet of Edo. They have visible and present forces of power that deal out who lives and dies. The civilization is less advanced, and so disciplinary power has yet to develop there. After Wesley accidentally fell into a restricted area, enforcers of the law appear and proceed to take a syringe full of poison out of their belt to inject Wesley (Roddenberry). These mediators, following the law passed down from their ancestors, decide outright who lives and who dies. They are always present and visible, meaning that the citizens aren’t following the law because they have internalized it, but because it is implemented by direct force.
In conclusion, aspects of Foucault’s sociological theory are present in Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek: The Next Generation. Captain Picard’s self-policing, Starfleet not being overtly visible or present, the situational nature of power in regards to the Enterprise crew, and the regulatory power implemented on Edo are all examples of the forms and characteristics of power.
Works Cited
Roddenberry, Gene. "Justice." Star Trek: The Next Generation. 7 Nov. 1987. Netflix. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
"Star Trek: The Next Generation." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092455/>.