In Europe, this war climaxed with the enclosures, a process of privatisation that kicked peasants off the land and forced them to take on what work they could find in towns and cities. In Africa, Asia and the Americas, the class war took the form of genocide, enslavement and indentured labour.
Capitalism could have never happened without this theft: it provided the capital needed to drive the industrial revolution. Federicis contribution was to show that the theft of womens bodies and labour was just as indispensable to kick-starting capitalism.
All that genocide and land grabbing had inconvenient side effects. According to Federici, the population of South America dropped by 75 million while in Europe the enclosures helped generate the first modern inflation crisis, by allowing landlords to raise rents and merchants to hoard grain and hike prices. Real wages fell by two-thirds.
The starving poor had little resistance to plague or smallpox and populations began to decline. In Germany one third of the population was lost by the early 1600s.
From a commercial viewpoint, this decimation of the population was bad news. In the 1620s and 30s, markets shrank, trade stopped and unemployment became widespread, in the first international economic crisis, otherwise known as the General Crisis. The fledgling capitalist economy was on the verge of collapse.
What could be more logical, then, for the new ruling alliance than to seize control of womens bodies and their reproductive powers?
Women werent hunted at random. Witches were usually poor and were frequently accused either of crimes against property or of reproductive crimes. They were tried for procuring abortions, murdering children, sucking their blood, and making potions of their flesh.
Many witches were midwives or wise women, traditionally the holders of womens reproductive knowledge. In the Middle Ages, women had some access to contraception in the form of herbs turned into potions and pessaries, but now this was proof of the devils work.
When my friend Tim said that the government should protect unborn babies from the people gestating them, he was probably unaware that its only in the last few hundred years that the uterus has become the business of the state.
Federici described a process whereby male doctors took over birthing chambers. Strict laws were set around reproduction, on punishment of beheading. Womens sexuality ceased to be something for women to enjoy and was put to the service of the economy and of men.
Accompanying this assault on womens bodies was a devaluing of their work, and a redefinition of womanhood itself. The heterosexual, patriarchal family became the engine of the new economy. Strict gender roles were assigned. The womans place was now seen as being in the home, and all the work they did there was designated as non-work.
Non-work included all reproductive labour: both in the sense of literally having babies, and all the care and domestic work needed for humans to sustain and reproduce themselves. Not only were women expected to do all this reproductive work for free, they were supposed to do it with a smile on their faces, born out of that handy thing called maternal instinct.
This is not to say that under feudalism there was no gender inequality. But capitalism didnt exactly spell progress. The devaluing of womens work also affected their earning power when they did try to earn a wage. According to Federici, in 14th-century western Europe, women received half the pay of men for the same task. By the mid-16th century they were getting a third of the male wage.
For Federici, just as capitalism was grounded on genocide, slavery and land theft, it was grounded on womens free and cheap labour, taken from them by fire.
It wasnt by chance that Federici chose to write her history of capitalism during the 1990s and early 2000s. She was witnessing a new phase of capitalism, a new class war and a new war on women.
This was the era of globalisation and structural adjustment. The previous, social democratic phase of capitalism that had been built after the Second World War had ended in a deep stagflation and oil crisis. From the 1980s, neoliberalism was the response of business leaders and governments around the world.
Central banks hiked interest rates, inducing a deep recession. Governments and employers launched an onslaught on trade unions and wages. The IMF and World Bank forced newly independent countries to sell off land and resources to foreign corporations, cut public spending and worsen labour conditions in response to a debt crisis triggered by the interest rate hikes.
Governments and mass media criminalised migrants, cheapening their labour. And police forces and judiciaries incarcerated working class Black and brown people on a mass scale.
At the same time, Federici was seeing a feminisation of poverty (a widening gap between men and women living in poverty) and a surge in violence against women. In South Africa, Brazil and other places, this included actual witch hunting, often targeting those who fought back against corporate land grabs.
Neoliberal politicians like Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Augusto Pinochet, though they had mixed records on abortion, espoused family values: the cis-gendered, heterosexual, patriarchal family model that had been forged centuries previously by Federicis witch hunters.
The parallels with today are too glaring to ignore. What with the climate apocalypse, the 2008 financial crash and its eternal aftermath, the COVID pandemic and now the new stagflation crisis, capitalism has utterly shat the bed. In response, capitalists and states have sought new money-making opportunities, requiring fresh onslaughts in the class war.
Central banks are again hiking interest rates. Corporations are grabbing land in response to the food and climate crises. Governments and firms have launched new attacks on trade unions, new privatisation and austerity drives, and new attacks on migrants. Debt has rocketed and wages are falling at record rates while profits are soaring.
Original post:
Capitalism and the crisis of reproduction - Open Democracy
- World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Economic consequences of overweight and obesity in infertility: a framework for evaluating the costs and outcomes of fertility care [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Maternal metabolism and obesity: modifiable determinants of pregnancy outcome [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Brain imaging studies of appetite in the context of obesity and the menstrual cycle [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- The impact of body mass index on semen parameters and reproductive hormones in human males: a systematic review with meta-analysis [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Options for fertility preservation in prepubertal boys [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Xenografting of testicular tissue from an infant human donor results in accelerated testicular maturation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Karyotype of miscarriages in relation to maternal weight [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Endoglandular trophoblast, an alternative route of trophoblast invasion? Analysis with novel confrontation co-culture models [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Regulation of extravillous trophoblast invasion by uterine natural killer cells is dependent on gestational age [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Functional regulation of thymic stromal lymphopoietin on proliferation and invasion of trophoblasts in human first-trimester pregnancy [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Home self-administration of vaginal misoprostol for medical abortion at 50-63 days compared with gestation of below 50 days [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Prospective study of the forearm bone mineral density of long-term users of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Functional attenuation of human sperm by novel, non-surfactant spermicides: precise targeting of membrane physiology without affecting structure [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Characteristics indicating adenomyosis coexisting with leiomyomas: a case-control study [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- The risk of post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia is higher in heterozygous than in homozygous complete hydatidiform moles [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate achieved with oocyte vitrification and cleavage stage transfer without embryo selection in a standard infertility program [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Pregnancy outcome in female childhood cancer survivors [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Offering excess oocyte aspiration and vitrification to patients undergoing stimulated artificial insemination cycles can reduce the multiple pregnancy risk and accumulate oocytes for later use [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Avoidance of weekend oocyte retrievals during GnRH antagonist treatment by simple advancement or delay of hCG administration does not adversely affect IVF live birth outcomes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Who should pay for assisted reproductive techniques? Answers from patients, professionals and the general public in Germany [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Sperm donor limits that control for the 'relative' risk associated with the use of open-identity donors [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Long-term cryostorage of sperm in a human sperm bank does not damage progressive motility concentration [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Screening for biomarkers of spermatogonia within the human testis: a whole genome approach [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Avoiding transgenerational risks of mitochondrial DNA disorders: a morally acceptable reason for sex selection? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Cross border reproductive care in six European countries [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Morphometric dimensions of the human sperm head depend on the staining method used [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- ESX1 gene expression as a robust marker of residual spermatogenesis in azoospermic men [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Innovative virtual reality measurements for embryonic growth and development [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Consecutive or non-consecutive recurrent miscarriage: is there any difference in carrier status? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- A longitudinal study of contraception and pregnancies in the same women followed for a quarter of a century [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Predictors of bleeding and user satisfaction during consecutive use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Direct proportional relationship between endometrioma size and ovarian parenchyma inadvertently removed during cystectomy, and its implication on the management of enlarged endometriomas [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Large prospective, pregnancy and infant follow-up trial assures the health of 1000 fetuses conceived after treatment with the GnRH antagonist ganirelix during controlled ovarian stimulation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Altered aquaporin expression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: hyperandrogenism in follicular fluid inhibits aquaporin-9 in granulosa cells through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Fast-release orodispersible tramadol as analgesia in hysterosalpingography with a metal cannula or a balloon catheter [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Xenotransplantation of cryopreserved human ovarian tissue into murine back muscle [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Predictors of psychological distress in patients starting IVF treatment: infertility-specific versus general psychological characteristics [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Psychological adjustment, knowledge and unmet information needs in women undergoing PGD [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Mothers of IVF and spontaneously conceived twins: a comparison of prenatal maternal expectations, coping resources and maternal stress [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Psychological well-being and sexarche in women with polycystic ovary syndrome [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Is human fecundity declining in Western countries? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]
- Impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2010]
- Current achievements and future research directions in ovarian tissue culture, in vitro follicle development and transplantation: implications for fertility preservation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2010]
- Human studies on genetics of the age at natural menopause: a systematic review [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2010]
- Beyond oxygen: complex regulation and activity of hypoxia inducible factors in pregnancy [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2010]
- Current knowledge of the aetiology of human tubal ectopic pregnancy [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2010]
- Economic contraction and birth outcomes: an integrative review [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2010]
- Teratogenic mechanisms of medical drugs [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2010]
- Levels of semenogelin in human spermatozoa decrease during capacitation: involvement of reactive oxygen species and zinc [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Apoptosis and meiotic segregation in ejaculated sperm from Robertsonian translocation carrier patients [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- In humans, zona pellucida glycoprotein-1 binds to spermatozoa and induces acrosomal exocytosis [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Variants of the EPPIN gene affect the risk of idiopathic male infertility in the Han-Chinese population [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Epidermal clitoral inclusion cysts: not a rare complication of female genital mutilation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- PCOSMIC: a multi-centre randomized trial in women with PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome evaluating Metformin for Infertility with Clomiphene [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Single versus double intrauterine insemination in multi-follicular ovarian hyperstimulation cycles: a randomized trial [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Soluble HLA-G is an independent factor for the prediction of pregnancy outcome after ART: a German multi-centre study [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Obstetric outcomes after transfer of vitrified blastocysts [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Occasional involvement of the ovary in Ewing sarcoma [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Y chromosome microdeletions, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm oxidative stress as causes of recurrent spontaneous abortion of unknown etiology [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Development and preliminary validation of the fertility status awareness tool: FertiSTAT [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Xenotransplantation of human ovarian tissue to nude mice: comparison between four grafting sites [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Involvement of CFTR in oviductal HCO3- secretion and its effect on soluble adenylate cyclase-dependent early embryo development [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Effect of endometriosis on the protein expression pattern of follicular fluid from patients submitted to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Activin A regulates trophoblast cell adhesive properties: implications for implantation failure in women with endometriosis-associated infertility [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Clinical significance of sperm DNA damage in assisted reproduction outcome [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Fall in implantation rates following ICSI with sperm with high DNA fragmentation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Prevalence of unsuspected uterine cavity abnormalities diagnosed by office hysteroscopy prior to in vitro fertilization [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Ultra-conservative fertility-sparing strategy for bilateral borderline ovarian tumours: an 11-year follow-up [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Fertility after autologous ovine uterine-tubal-ovarian transplantation by vascular anastomosis to the external iliac vessels [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Uterus transplantation in the baboon: methodology and long-term function after auto-transplantation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Prestimulation parameters predicting live birth in anovulatory WHO Group II patients undergoing ovulation induction with gonadotrophins [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Transfer of a selected single blastocyst optimizes the chance of a healthy term baby: a retrospective population based study in Australia 2004-2007 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Disclosure patterns of mode of conception among mothers and fathers-5-year follow-up of the Copenhagen Multi-centre Psychosocial Infertility (COMPI) cohort [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2006: results generated from European registers by ESHRE [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- A decade of sperm washing: clinical correlates of successful insemination outcome [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Sperm DNA integrity in cancer patients before and after cytotoxic treatment [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Speriolin is a novel human and mouse sperm centrosome protein [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- No influence of body mass index on first trimester fetal growth [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- HLA sharing among couples appears unrelated to idiopathic recurrent fetal loss in Saudi Arabia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]