Doing History Response Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Doing History Response - Research Paper Example By looking at the historical account that is advocated by Foucault there are some similarities in the secrecy and opacity of a sovereign archaic regime. The criminal procedures of these states were secretive, and opaque, to the public and the person who was accused. Furthermore, these procedures used to take place without the knowledge of the accused, or the production of evidence that was able to make an accused to be guilty of a crime. The proposed anti-terrorism laws by the United Kingdom are therefore a reflection of these assertions that Foucault, in his book is able to bring about (Bennett, 56). Another law that similar to the justice system of the medieval Europe, as advocated by Foucault is the Patriots Act of the United States. This law is controversial in the sense that it allows the government to conduct surveillance activities on suspected terrorists, without their knowledge. This aspect of secrecy closely resembles what Foucault described, in the methods that the medieval Europe sovereign states of Europe were using to punish criminals. That is, investigating them without their knowledge. This is an aspect of power that a state was exercising towards an individual (Bennett, 62). Furthermore, the power of the state is depicted in its absolute role as a prosecuting agency. The state has the power of determining whether to prosecute an individual or not. Prosecutors in the medieval times were very powerful people, and they could decide on whom to prosecute, and on whom not to prosecute. This situation also happens in the current times, where prosecutors have a complete discretion on the kind of crimes to prosecute, and the ones not to prosecute. However, in the modern times, prosecutors are also answerable to elective officials and institutions such the legislature. This is for purposes of preventing prosecutors from abusing their power and authority. During the period that Foucault is able to describe, the production of