Silvia Federici

Silvia Federici is an Italian-American scholar, teacher, and activist known for her work in feminist theory, Marxism, and political philosophy. She is a prominent figure in the field of feminist economics and is best known for her book 'Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation'.

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Calibán Y La Bruja

    Mujeres, Cuerpo y Acumulación Originaria

    This thought-provoking work delves into the historical roots of capitalism, exploring how the transition from feudalism to capitalism was deeply intertwined with the subjugation and exploitation of women. It examines the witch hunts of the early modern period as a pivotal moment in this transformation, arguing that these persecutions were not merely a result of superstition but were instrumental in reshaping social and economic structures. The narrative highlights how the control over women's bodies and labor was central to the development of capitalist economies, offering a feminist perspective on the historical processes that shaped modern society.

  2. 2. Revolution At Point Zero

    Housework, Reproduction, and Feminist Struggle

    This insightful collection of essays delves into the often-overlooked realm of domestic labor and its crucial role in the capitalist economy. It challenges traditional perceptions of work by highlighting the unpaid labor predominantly carried out by women in the home, arguing that this labor is foundational to the functioning of the broader economic system. The book advocates for the recognition and revaluation of domestic work, proposing that true social change can only occur when the contributions of women in the domestic sphere are acknowledged and valued. Through a feminist lens, it calls for a reevaluation of societal structures and a reimagining of the possibilities for women's liberation.

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  3. 3. Caliban And The Witch

    Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation

    This compelling work delves into the historical transition from feudalism to capitalism, exploring how this shift was deeply intertwined with the subjugation and control of women. It examines the witch hunts of the early modern period as a pivotal moment in the restructuring of society, where women's bodies and labor became sites of intense regulation and exploitation. The narrative argues that the persecution of witches was not merely a religious or superstitious phenomenon but a calculated move to suppress female autonomy and reinforce patriarchal structures, laying the groundwork for modern capitalist economies.

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  4. 4. Kaliban I Czarownica. Kobiety, Ciało I Akumulacja Pierwotna

    Kobiety, Ciało I Akumulacja Pierwotna

    This insightful work delves into the historical intersections of capitalism, patriarchy, and the subjugation of women, particularly during the transition from feudalism to capitalism in Europe. It explores how the witch hunts of the early modern period were not merely a religious or superstitious phenomenon but a calculated strategy to control women's bodies and labor. By examining the socio-economic transformations of the time, the book argues that the persecution of women was instrumental in the establishment of capitalist economies, highlighting the enduring legacy of these practices in contemporary gender and economic inequalities.

  5. 5. Beyond The Periphery Of The Skin

    This work examines the body as a central terrain of capitalist power and struggle, arguing that processes of commodification, dispossession, and racialized gender hierarchies shape everyday life and reproductive labor. It traces how neoliberal policies, migration, and the global division of care work deepen inequalities and subject bodies—especially women’s and racialized peoples’—to new forms of violence and control. Interweaving historical analysis with contemporary cases, it reframes social reproduction as both exploited labor and a site of collective resistance, calling for political strategies that reclaim bodily autonomy, communal care, and alternative forms of social life outside capitalist commodification.

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