The persecution of witches allowed capitalism. Interview with Silvia Federici
A few centuries ago had been burned at the stake. Feminist tireless historian and author of one of the books downloaded from the Internet, "Caliban and the Witch. Women, body and primitive accumulation " , talks with Red Numbers and rigorously exposes the political and economic reasons that went behind the witch hunt. His latest book, "Revolution in zero point" , is a collection of essential items for his intellectual. The interview was conducted by Garrido Courel Maite.
With watchful eye, the Italian Silvia Federici has more than 30 years studying the historical events that led to the social and economic exploitation of women. In his book "Caliban and the Witch. Women, body and accumulation "(dreams Traffickers, 2010) , sets his sights on the violent transition from feudalism to capitalism, where fire was forged sexual division of labor and where the ashes of the fires covered with ignorance and lies an essential chapter of history. Federici speaks for Red Numbers from his office at the Department of History at Hofstra University in New York about witches, sexuality and capitalism, and proposes "the younger generations relive the memory of a long history of resistance now in danger of being deleted ".
How is it possible that the systematic killing of women was not addressed more than an anecdotal chapter in the history books? I do not even remember having been at school ...
This is a good example of how history is written by the victors. A mid-eighteenth century, when the capitalist class power was consolidated and largely resistance was defeated, historians began to study the witch hunt as a simple example of rural and religious superstitions. As a result, until recently, few were seriously investigating the reasons that lie behind the persecution of 'witches' and their correlation with the establishment of a new economic model. As I explain in "Caliban and the Witch ..." two centuries of executions and torture thousands of women condemned to an agonizing death were settled by history as a product of ignorance or something from the folklore. An indifference to complicity round, since the elimination of the witches of the pages of history has helped trivialize their physical elimination at the stake. Movement was the liberation of women from the 70's which revived interest in the witch hunt. Feminists realized that it was a very important phenomenon that had shaped the position of women in the ages to come, and identified with the fate of the 'witches' and women who were persecuted for resisting the power of the Church and the State. Hopefully the new generations of students if they are taught the importance of this persecution.
This is a good example of how history is written by the victors. A mid-eighteenth century, when the capitalist class power was consolidated and largely resistance was defeated, historians began to study the witch hunt as a simple example of rural and religious superstitions. As a result, until recently, few were seriously investigating the reasons that lie behind the persecution of 'witches' and their correlation with the establishment of a new economic model. As I explain in "Caliban and the Witch ..." two centuries of executions and torture thousands of women condemned to an agonizing death were settled by history as a product of ignorance or something from the folklore. An indifference to complicity round, since the elimination of the witches of the pages of history has helped trivialize their physical elimination at the stake. Movement was the liberation of women from the 70's which revived interest in the witch hunt. Feminists realized that it was a very important phenomenon that had shaped the position of women in the ages to come, and identified with the fate of the 'witches' and women who were persecuted for resisting the power of the Church and the State. Hopefully the new generations of students if they are taught the importance of this persecution.
Is there anything further that deeply disturbed, and that, except for Basque fishermen Lapurdi, relatives of the alleged witches took up arms in his defense after fighting together in peasant uprisings.
Unfortunately, most of the documents we have about the witch hunts were written by those who held power: the inquisitors, judges, demonologists. This means that there may be examples of solidarity that have not been registered. But keep in mind it was very dangerous for the families of the women accused of witchcraft to be joined with them and stand up in their defense. In fact, most of the men who were accused and convicted of witchcraft were relatives of women suspected. This, of course, does not minimize the consequences of fear and misogyny that own witch hunt occurred since propagated a horrible image of women making them killer of children, servants of the devil, destroyers of men, seducing and making them powerless to simultaneously.
Unfortunately, most of the documents we have about the witch hunts were written by those who held power: the inquisitors, judges, demonologists. This means that there may be examples of solidarity that have not been registered. But keep in mind it was very dangerous for the families of the women accused of witchcraft to be joined with them and stand up in their defense. In fact, most of the men who were accused and convicted of witchcraft were relatives of women suspected. This, of course, does not minimize the consequences of fear and misogyny that own witch hunt occurred since propagated a horrible image of women making them killer of children, servants of the devil, destroyers of men, seducing and making them powerless to simultaneously.
Exhibit two clear consequences in terms of the witch hunt, that is a foundational element of capitalism and that is the birth of women submissive and domesticated.
The witch-hunt and the slave trade and the conquest of America, was an essential element to establish the modern capitalist system as decisively changed social relations and the fundamentals of social reproduction, starting with relations between women and men and women and the state. First, the witch hunt weakened the population's resistance to the changes that accompanied the rise of capitalism in Europe: the destruction of communal land tenure, the mass impoverishment and starvation and birth in the population of a landless proletariat, starting with older women that does not possess a land to farm, dependent on state aid to survive. It also expanded state control over women's bodies, to criminalize these exercised control over their reproductive capacity and sexuality (midwives and old women were the first suspect). The result of the witch hunts in Europe was a new model of femininity and a new conception of the social position of women, which devalued their work as independent economic activity (a process that had already begun gradually) and placed in a subordinate position men. This is the main requirement for reproductive work reorganization required by the capitalist system.
The witch-hunt and the slave trade and the conquest of America, was an essential element to establish the modern capitalist system as decisively changed social relations and the fundamentals of social reproduction, starting with relations between women and men and women and the state. First, the witch hunt weakened the population's resistance to the changes that accompanied the rise of capitalism in Europe: the destruction of communal land tenure, the mass impoverishment and starvation and birth in the population of a landless proletariat, starting with older women that does not possess a land to farm, dependent on state aid to survive. It also expanded state control over women's bodies, to criminalize these exercised control over their reproductive capacity and sexuality (midwives and old women were the first suspect). The result of the witch hunts in Europe was a new model of femininity and a new conception of the social position of women, which devalued their work as independent economic activity (a process that had already begun gradually) and placed in a subordinate position men. This is the main requirement for reproductive work reorganization required by the capitalist system.
You sound control bodies: the Middle Ages if women exercised undisputed control over the delivery, in the transition to capitalism 'wombs became political territory controlled by men and the state. "
There is no doubt that with the advent of capitalism began to see a much tighter control by the state over the bodies of women, carried out not only by the witch hunt, but also through the introduction of new forms of surveillance of pregnancy and motherhood, and the institution of capital punishment against infanticide (when the baby was stillborn, or died during childbirth, and blamed the mother rarely killed). In my paper I argue that these new policies, and generally control the destruction of women in the Middle Ages had exercised on reproduction, are associated with the new conception that capitalism has promoted the work. When work becomes the main source of wealth, control over women's bodies takes on new meaning, these same bodies are then seen as machines for producing workforce. I think this kind of policy is still very important today because the work, the labor force, remains crucial for the accumulation of capital. This does not mean that employers worldwide want more workers, but certainly want to control the production of the labor force: they want to decide how many workers are producing and under what conditions.
There is no doubt that with the advent of capitalism began to see a much tighter control by the state over the bodies of women, carried out not only by the witch hunt, but also through the introduction of new forms of surveillance of pregnancy and motherhood, and the institution of capital punishment against infanticide (when the baby was stillborn, or died during childbirth, and blamed the mother rarely killed). In my paper I argue that these new policies, and generally control the destruction of women in the Middle Ages had exercised on reproduction, are associated with the new conception that capitalism has promoted the work. When work becomes the main source of wealth, control over women's bodies takes on new meaning, these same bodies are then seen as machines for producing workforce. I think this kind of policy is still very important today because the work, the labor force, remains crucial for the accumulation of capital. This does not mean that employers worldwide want more workers, but certainly want to control the production of the labor force: they want to decide how many workers are producing and under what conditions.
In Spain, the Minister of Justice wants to reform abortion law, excluding cases of fetal malformation, just when aid dependency gone.
The United States is also trying to introduce laws that severely penalize women and limit their ability to choose whether or not to have children. For example, several states are introducing legislation to make women be responsible for what happens to the fetus during pregnancy. There has been a controversial case of a woman who has been charged with murder because his son was stillborn and then discovered that he had used some drugs. Doctors cocaine excluded as a cause of fetal death, but in vain, the prosecution continued. The control of women's reproductive capacity is also a means of controlling women's sexuality and behavior in general.
The United States is also trying to introduce laws that severely penalize women and limit their ability to choose whether or not to have children. For example, several states are introducing legislation to make women be responsible for what happens to the fetus during pregnancy. There has been a controversial case of a woman who has been charged with murder because his son was stillborn and then discovered that he had used some drugs. Doctors cocaine excluded as a cause of fetal death, but in vain, the prosecution continued. The control of women's reproductive capacity is also a means of controlling women's sexuality and behavior in general.
You put it yourself, why not questioned Marx procreation as a social activity determined by political interests?
This is not an easy question to answer, because today it seems obvious that procreation and child rearing are crucial moments in the production of labor power and not by chance have been very tough regulation by the State. I believe, however, that Marx could not afford to see procreation as a moment of capitalist production because it resonated with industrialization, with machines and large-scale industry, and procreation, such as domestic work, seemed be the opposite of industrial activity. That the female body is machined and become a machine for the production of labor is something that Marx could not recognize. Today, in America at least, delivery has also been mechanized. In some hospitals, obviously not the rich, women give birth in an assembly line, with so much time allotted for the delivery, if they exceed the time they are asked a cesarean.
This is not an easy question to answer, because today it seems obvious that procreation and child rearing are crucial moments in the production of labor power and not by chance have been very tough regulation by the State. I believe, however, that Marx could not afford to see procreation as a moment of capitalist production because it resonated with industrialization, with machines and large-scale industry, and procreation, such as domestic work, seemed be the opposite of industrial activity. That the female body is machined and become a machine for the production of labor is something that Marx could not recognize. Today, in America at least, delivery has also been mechanized. In some hospitals, obviously not the rich, women give birth in an assembly line, with so much time allotted for the delivery, if they exceed the time they are asked a cesarean.
Sexuality is another topic you approach from an ideological point of view is the Church who promoted with great virulence tight control and criminalization. Was so strong the power conferred to women who continue this attempt to control?
I think the Church has opposed sexuality (although they always have practiced in secret) because they are afraid of the power exercised in the lives of people. It is important to remember that throughout the Middle Ages, the Church was also involved in the fight to eradicate the practice of married priests, who saw him as a threat to the preservation of their heritage. In any case, the attack of the Church on sexuality has always been an attack on women. The Church afraid of women and sought to humiliate us in every way possible, retratándonos as original sin and the cause of the perversion in men, forces us to hide our bodies as if they are contaminated. Meanwhile, it has tried to usurp the power of women, presenting the clergy as givers of life and even taking the skirt and dress.
I think the Church has opposed sexuality (although they always have practiced in secret) because they are afraid of the power exercised in the lives of people. It is important to remember that throughout the Middle Ages, the Church was also involved in the fight to eradicate the practice of married priests, who saw him as a threat to the preservation of their heritage. In any case, the attack of the Church on sexuality has always been an attack on women. The Church afraid of women and sought to humiliate us in every way possible, retratándonos as original sin and the cause of the perversion in men, forces us to hide our bodies as if they are contaminated. Meanwhile, it has tried to usurp the power of women, presenting the clergy as givers of life and even taking the skirt and dress.
In an interview you say that is taking place on a witch hunt Who are the heretics now?
Witch hunt has been for several years in various African countries as well as in India, Nepal, Papua New Guinea. Thousands of women have been killed in this manner, accusing them of witchcraft. And it is clear that, as in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, this new witch hunt is connected with the extension of capitalist relations worldwide. It is very convenient to have peasants fighting with each other while in many parts of the world we are living a new process of fencing, privatization of land and a big sack to basic means of subsistence. There is also evidence that some of the responsibility for this new witch hunt, which in turn is aimed particularly at older women, must be attributed to the work of fundamentalist Christian sects, such as the Pentecostal movement, which has brought back to religious discourse devil theme, increasing the climate of suspicion and fear generated by existing dramatic deterioration of economic conditions.
Witch hunt has been for several years in various African countries as well as in India, Nepal, Papua New Guinea. Thousands of women have been killed in this manner, accusing them of witchcraft. And it is clear that, as in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, this new witch hunt is connected with the extension of capitalist relations worldwide. It is very convenient to have peasants fighting with each other while in many parts of the world we are living a new process of fencing, privatization of land and a big sack to basic means of subsistence. There is also evidence that some of the responsibility for this new witch hunt, which in turn is aimed particularly at older women, must be attributed to the work of fundamentalist Christian sects, such as the Pentecostal movement, which has brought back to religious discourse devil theme, increasing the climate of suspicion and fear generated by existing dramatic deterioration of economic conditions.
"Omnia sunt communia", "Everything is common," was the cry of the Anabaptists whose struggle and defeat, as accounts in the book, was swept away by history. Is it still just as subversive that cry?
It certainly is, since we are living in a time where sunt omnia privata. If current trends continue, soon there will be sidewalks, or beaches or seas or coastal waters, or land or forests that can be accessed without having to pay some money. In Italy, some municipalities are trying to pass laws that prohibit people put their towels on the few remaining free beaches and this is just a small example. In Africa, we are witnessing the biggest land grabs in the history of the continent by mining, industrial agriculture, agro-fuels ... The African land is being privatized and people are being expropriated at a rate that matches the from the colonial era. Knowledge and education are becoming commodities available only to those who can pay and even our own bodies are being patented. So communia sunt omnia remains a radical idea, but we must be careful not to accept the way it is being used this ideal distorted, for example, by organizations such as the World Bank, in the name of preserving the 'community Global 'privatized lands and forests and expels the population earned their livelihood from it.
It certainly is, since we are living in a time where sunt omnia privata. If current trends continue, soon there will be sidewalks, or beaches or seas or coastal waters, or land or forests that can be accessed without having to pay some money. In Italy, some municipalities are trying to pass laws that prohibit people put their towels on the few remaining free beaches and this is just a small example. In Africa, we are witnessing the biggest land grabs in the history of the continent by mining, industrial agriculture, agro-fuels ... The African land is being privatized and people are being expropriated at a rate that matches the from the colonial era. Knowledge and education are becoming commodities available only to those who can pay and even our own bodies are being patented. So communia sunt omnia remains a radical idea, but we must be careful not to accept the way it is being used this ideal distorted, for example, by organizations such as the World Bank, in the name of preserving the 'community Global 'privatized lands and forests and expels the population earned their livelihood from it.
How would you address the common issue of today?
The theme of the commons is how to create a world without exploitation, egalitarian, where millions of people do not starve in the midst of obscene consumption of a few and where the environment is not destroyed, where the machine does not increase our exploitation rather to reduce it. This I think is our common problem and our common project: to create a new world.
The theme of the commons is how to create a world without exploitation, egalitarian, where millions of people do not starve in the midst of obscene consumption of a few and where the environment is not destroyed, where the machine does not increase our exploitation rather to reduce it. This I think is our common problem and our common project: to create a new world.
Silvia Federici is a researcher and activist of Italian origin. Marxist and feminist historian, author of the acclaimed book Caliban and the Witch: Women, The Body And Primitive Accumulation (New York, Autonomedia, 2004 [there is a good Spanish translation published by traffickers dreams Madrid: Caliban and the Witch, 2010) , has taught at several American universities, as well as at the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria. She is a professor emeritus at Hofstra University (Long Island, New York).
You can read the book or download it at the following link: Caliban and the Witch. Mujeres, body and primitive accumulation
