Legendary feminist scholar Silvia Federici discusses the formation of the modern proletariat, the rise of capitalism and the persecution of women as witches, the relationship between capitalism, divisions, and differentiation, the rise of the carceral public welfare system, the historical context of the heretics movement, the enormity of the witch hunt and violence against women, exploring pre-modern cosmologies, scientific rationalism and the witch hunts, feminism in Latin America and the challenge to church influence, and recognition of Sylvia Federici's contributions and call for support.
The criminalization and persecution of sex workers during the transition to capitalism played a role in shaping the crisis of feudalism and the rise of capitalism.
The witch hunt served as a tool of social control and was instigated and perpetuated by elites, turning communities against each other and reinforcing patriarchal power structures.
The witch hunt cannot be understood separate from the rise of capitalism, as it was a tool that elites used to maintain their power and establish new social and economic systems.
The witch hunts were orchestrated by those in power to establish new crimes, silence dissent, and enforce social control, serving as a form of education for the population.
Deep dives
The Rise of Capitalism and the Witch Hunt
During the transition from feudalism to capitalism, a widespread peasant revolt and artisan movement challenged the oppressive power structures of the church and feudal elite. The heretics, rejecting the exploitative practices of the church, were seen as a precursor to liberation theology for the medieval proletariat. Meanwhile, the expansion of brothels in the 14th and 15th century served as a means for elites to diffuse protest. However, by the 16th century, prostitution was criminalized and prostitutes were persecuted, with the association of women with the devil reinforcing the demonization of prostitution. The rise of capitalism brought about a shift in the status of women, and the witch hunt became a means to force women from the public sphere. This elite-led institution managed to turn poor men against poor women through a combination of demonization, patriarchal ideology, and economic and social pressures.
The Criminalization of Prostitutes and the Persecution of Sex Workers
In the 16th century, the criminalization of prostitution and the persecution of sex workers became prevalent. This shift can be attributed to various factors, including the fear of depopulation after the Black Death, the massification of prostitution as a result of enclosures, and the desire to control and discipline women's sexuality and public presence. Prostitutes were now seen as a threat and were increasingly associated with witchcraft, further marginalizing them. This criminalization and persecution of sex workers played a role in shaping the crisis of feudalism and the rise of capitalism.
The Demonization of Women as Witches
The persecution of women as witches reached its climax during the transition from feudalism to capitalism. Women accused of being witches were often those who deviated from societal norms, such as unmarried women, healers, and those who challenged patriarchal authority. The association of women with witchcraft was a means to control and oppress them, as it portrayed them as diabolical figures who posed a threat to the social and political order. The witch hunt served as a tool of social control and was instigated and perpetuated by elites, turning communities against each other and reinforcing patriarchal power structures.
The Rise of Capitalism and its Relationship to the Witch Hunt
The rise of capitalism was characterized by the transformation of every aspect of life and the reorganization of power dynamics. The witch hunt, with its demonization and persecution of women, reflected and shaped the crisis in feudalism by reinforcing patriarchal control, disciplining women's bodies and sexuality, and maintaining social and economic hierarchies. The witch hunt cannot be understood separate from the rise of capitalism, as it was a tool that elites used to maintain their power and establish new social and economic systems.
The Witch Hunt as a Pedagogical Terror Campaign
The podcast episode explores the historical context and impact of the witch hunts from above as a pedagogical terror campaign. It highlights how the witch hunts were orchestrated by those in power, such as the church, institutions, and governments, to establish new crimes, silence dissent, and enforce social control. The witch hunts served as a form of education for the population, demonstrating what behavior was permissible and not permissible. The episode emphasizes the connection between the witch hunts and current forms of violence against women in Latin America, where women who challenge mining, land privatization, and environmental destruction are targeted and murdered.
Capitalism, Primitive Accumulation, and Disenchantment
The podcast discusses how capitalism's need for primitive accumulation led to the suppression and criminalization of activities that were previously considered normal. The witch hunts played a crucial role in discrediting and dismantling alternative knowledge systems, such as animism and a holistic understanding of nature. The control of nature and the extraction of resources required capitalism to view nature as a soulless, exploitable entity, disconnected from humanity. This led to the devaluation of reproductive work, the commodification of land, and the disenchantment of the natural world. The episode also highlights how pre-modern cosmologies, such as the Gaia hypothesis, align more closely with current scientific understandings of the interconnectedness and complexity of nature.
The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and the Feminist Movement
The podcast reflects on the changing landscape of feminism from the 1970s to the present day. It acknowledges the progress made in recognizing the impact of capitalist exploitation and the specific forms of women's oppression. However, it also critiques the dominance of liberal and institutional forms of feminism, which often fail to challenge the underlying structures of power. The episode emphasizes the importance of building solidarity and connection among different groups, such as white people and men, to fight against racism and sexism, highlighting the common interests in liberation for all. The episode ends on a note of cautious optimism, noting the continued presence of struggle and resistance, particularly in Latin America, and the potential for social change.
Dan interviewed legendary feminist scholar Silvia Federici on Caliban and the Witch at her Brooklyn apartment. Next year, he'll make a return trip to discuss Wages for Housework.
