POWER, SURVEILLANCE, AND INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL IN J.K. ROWLING'S HARRY POTTER SERIES: A FOUCAULDIAN ANALYSIS

Abstract

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is often appreciated as a story of magic, adventure, and the triumph of good over evil. However, beneath its fantasy setting lies a complex portrayal of power, authority, and social control. This article examines how power operates within the wizarding world through a Foucauldian perspective, focusing on the ways institutions influence individual behavior and shape social realities. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s theories of disciplinary power, surveillance, and power/knowledge, the study explores the roles played by Hogwarts School, the Ministry of Magic, and the wizarding media in regulating and monitoring members of the magical community.

The analysis demonstrates that power in the series is exercised not only through laws and punishments but also through subtle mechanisms of observation, classification, and normalization. Institutions create systems that encourage conformity while discouraging dissent, reflecting many of the disciplinary structures found in contemporary society. The article further investigates how characters such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and members of Dumbledore’s Army challenge these systems, illustrating the possibility of resistance within networks of power. In addition, the study briefly considers Daoist ideas of balance, harmony, and non-coercive governance as an alternative way of understanding authority and social order.

By examining the intersections of power, surveillance, and institutional control, this article argues that the Harry Potter series offers more than a fantasy narrative; it serves as a meaningful commentary on the functioning of authority and the struggle for individual freedom. The study contributes to both literary scholarship and broader discussions of power in contemporary culture.