Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation
Summary
Argues that the transition to capitalism depended on enclosing the commons and on disciplining women’s bodies and reproductive labor, with the witch hunts as a central mechanism.
Why it’s useful here
Historical grounding for “enclosure,” the opposite of recommoning. It also frames unpaid reproductive work, the parallel to the invisible maintenance labor that keeps shared infrastructure running.
Key ideas
- Enclosure of the commons as a foundation of capitalism
- Reproductive labor as unwaged, devalued work
Related
- federici-2019-re-enchanting-the-world.md
- linebaugh-2008-magna-carta-manifesto.md