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Aim: The aim of this thesis is to elucidate the effects of gender, age, and class in witch hunts in the sixteenth and seventeenth century in Western Europe from a feminist perspective. It also aims to understand the perception of these witch hunts in our present society. It centers poor, old, women who were accused of witchcraft. Methods: a literature review will be performed to collect literature on witch hunts. Secondary analysis of this literature will be performed using an intersectional theoretical framework. Results: the spread of christianity through Europe brought a new political ideology that divided labour into sexes. The role of women was reduced to childbearing and household tasks. Medicine became institutionalised. There was no protection for poor people or aged people in the new political ideology. Conclusion: the new political ideology affected poor, old women most: they were no longer able to fulfil childbearing duties, could no longer practice as healers or midwives, and were not protected by the state. Due to the misogynistic, ageist and classist values at the time, their expressions of frustration could then be interpreted as witchery. Moreover, lookism could have been a factor in witch accusations.

This thesis will examine some of the basic principles of Classical and Marxian Political Economy. At the center of the project is an examination of two distinct but related subjects: 1) value and 2) internal critique. I begin with a broad overview of the methodological and theoretical principles integral to the study of Marxian political economy and highlight its link to the content of Marx's work. I demonstrate the riven-ness of the concept of value throughout the thesis and show that this riven-ness is integral to rather than accidental to the concept of value itself. In essence, I propose that in order to fully grasp how Marx is taken up by political economists, feminists, ecologists, and critical race scholars in order to understand exploitation and oppression, it is necessary to return to the basic premises of political economy as the foundation of many of these theories. / Master of Arts / Value is a concept which carries with it many different meanings and connotations. It is central to our everyday language and to various fields of study. This thesis aims to examine value and its role as a fundamental concept in the history of economics. To do this, I map out how value emerges as a crucial category in the work of economic theorists. By carefully following these theorists, I seek to uncover what they call attention to and what remains hidden within their work. Another crucial part of this thesis is how to investigate, how to read, and how to think. While the content of the thesis is focused around "value" and what constitutes value, a larger project consumes it. I propose that in order to get to the substance of value, how we think directly affects what we think.

Orientador: Carlos Alonso Barbosa de Oliveira / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Economia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T11:53:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Duarte_PedroHenriqueEvangelista_D.pdf: 2694625 bytes, checksum: c2fec82d1ec3ba90658273c14f8e4824 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Entendendo o excedente de mão de obra como um dos elementos estruturais que caracterizam a economia brasileira, o presente estudo pretende investigar os elementos históricos que fundamentam a origem do excedente de mão de obra no Brasil, a partir das categorias desenvolvidas em dois aportes teóricos: de um lado, a teoria do valor desenvolvida por Karl Marx, especificamente as categorias superpopulação relativa e exército industrial de reserva; de outro lado, a teoria da marginalidade, que procurou entender, a partir das especificidades do capitalismo periférico e dependente, como se formava o excedente de mão de obra, ou a chamada massa marginal. O objetivo central da tese se desdobra em três aspectos a serem analisados. Em primeiro lugar, quais são os fatores históricos que determinaram a formação do mercado de trabalho no Brasil no momento de consolidação do setor industrial, e como se forma, junto a este mercado, um excedente de mão de obra. Em segundo lugar, quais são as características e dinâmica desse excedente num momento de expansão de um conjunto de atividades econômicas urbanas e decadência de uma série de outras atividades, em especial aquelas ligadas aos setores agrícolas. Em terceiro lugar, em que medida as categorias assumidas para tal análise são capazes ou não de explicar o comportamento do excedente de mão de obra no Brasil. A hipótese central que norteia o trabalho é de que o excedente de mão de obra no Brasil tem origem nos problemas decorrentes da transição do trabalho escravo ao trabalho livre, que acabou por determinar não apenas a dificuldade de integração do negro, mas também resultou na entrada maciça de imigrantes, compondo uma força de trabalho com excesso de oferta em relação à demanda dos setores produtivos. Quando da crise de 1929, que determinariam a expansão dos investimentos industriais, parte substancial da população migraria em direção à região economicamente dinâmica, compondo o mercado de trabalho urbano - que, nesses termos, já surgiria com excedente de mão de obra / Abstract: Considering the surplus labor as one of the structural aspects which characterize Brazilian economy, the aim of this thesis is investigate the structural aspects which explain the surplus labor in Brazil, from the theoretical framework proposed by two theories: in one hand, Karl Marx¿s value theory, and the categories relative surplus population and industrial reserve army; in another hand, marginality theory, which tried to explain, considering the specificities of the peripheral and dependent capitalism, the economics and social processes which results in the emergence of the surplus population, also so called "marginal mass" in that kind of economies. To develop this main aim, we propose analyze of three aspects. Firstly, point out the historical aspects which determine the formation of labor market, at the moment of the consolidation of industrial sector; and also what explain the origin of surplus labor in that market. Secondly, explain the dynamic and characteristics of that surplus labor, at the moment in which grows a set of urban economics sectors, while some regions are in economic decay, especially those specialized in agricultural sectors. Thirdly, how the categories taken from the theoretical framework could explain the dynamic of the surplus labor in Brazil. The hypotheses is that the surplus labor in Brazil is a result of problems arising from the transition from slavery to free labor, which determined the difficulties of black workers¿ integration in the labor market and the huge influx of immigrant workers, resulting in a surplus workforce when compared with the possibilities of job offers in the economy. When the 1929 crisis, which determine the expansion of industrial investments, a substantial part of the population migrate towards the economically dynamic region, forming the urban labor market - which, in these terms, as would arise with labor surplus / Doutorado / Economia Social e do Trabalho / Doutor em Desenvolvimento Economico

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The central thesis is classical Marxian views concerning the peasant masses have been adopted regarding India; two causal factors are the Hindu Caste system and parliamentary democracy. Descriptive and analytical methodology is utilized to study classical and Indian Marxian theory and its relationship to "Marxist" practice in India. Four major elements involved are: wealthy landowners, poor and landless peasants, the Indian government, and Indian communists. Nonimplemented land reforms and recent capitalist farming compounded the problem. Attacks were launched on the Congress government by three communist parties. Government coalition has included the CPI, and has implemented agrarian reforms advocated by the CPI(M), thereby postponing possible militant communist success.

Esta dissertação visa estudar a indústria do gás natural da Venezuela a partir da Teoria Marxista da Dependência (TMD). Mudanças estruturais acontecem nesse país desde o início do século XXI, e esse processo não pode ser entendido sem se observar o papel fundamental da energia. O termo energia refere-se, neste trabalho, ao petróleo e gás natural. O primeiro tem sido o responsável pela penetração do capital estrangeiro no país e o segundo foi historicamente tratado como subproduto da indústria petroleira. A principal mudança nessa perspectiva foi introduzida pelo atual processo político, que usa ambos os recursos como instrumento para superar a relação de subordinação aos países industrializados. Portanto, objetiva-se analisar, com base na TMD, se, dada uma ampliação da indústria do gás natural da Venezuela estarão presentes os elementos capazes de promover uma ruptura com a forma subordinada em que se inseriu o país na economia mundial. Entende-se essa ampliação como um projeto nacional que procura a diversificação da economia e a conquista do desenvolvimento, entendido nos termos expostos pela TMD. Para facilitar o uso da TMD, foram selecionados três de seus expoentes, a saber: Vânia Bambirra, Theotônio dos Santos, e Ruy Mauro Marini. No que concerne à indústria do gás natural, a mesma foi avaliada seguindo parâmetros estabelecidos no Programa de Massificação do Uso do Gás Natural da Petrobras (2004). Por fim, foram contrastados os segmentos da cadeia produtiva do gás avaliados com os parâmetros da TMD, permitindo, por um lado, elucidar o processo que contribuiu para o subdesenvolvimento no país, e, por outro, avaliar o potencial dos atuais planos da IGN para estimular a industrialização nacional e a integração regional. / This document aims to study the Venezuelan natural gas industry using the Marxist Dependency Theory (MDT). Structural changes have been occurring in this country since the early twenty-first century, and those transitions cannot be understood without observing the fundamental energys role. The term \"energy\" refers, in this research, to oil and natural gas. The first one has been responsible for the foreign capital penetration in the country and, the second has been historically treated only as an oil industry derivate. The main change in this perspective was motivated by the current political process, which uses both resources as a tool for overcoming the subordinated relationship with the industrialized countries. Therefore, the objective is to analyze, based on MDT, if an expansion of Venezuela\'s natural gas industry will change the subordinated Venezuelan role in the global economy. This expansion is understood as a \"national project\", which looks for economic diversification and achievement of development, understood in the MDTs terms. To make easier to use the MDT, three exponents was selected: Vania Bambirra, Theotônio dos Santos, and Ruy Mauro Marini. The assessing for the natural gas industry expansion follows the parameters stablished in the National Gasification Program of Petrobras (2004). Finally, the segments of the productive gas chain was contrasted with the MDT parameters, allowing to understand the process that contributed to the country underdevelopment and, evaluating the potential of current plans in natural gas industry for stimulating national industrialization and regional integration.

É possível partir estritamente de Marx para definir inflação? Em que pese não haver uma definição precisa em suas obras sobre tal fenômeno – até porque, em sua época, este não era uma preocupação econômica relevante – acredita-se que seu método e formulações teóricas são as que melhor possibilitam entender a realidade econômica complexa e seus fatos constitutivos. Não haveria de ser diferente com a inflação, e ela é entendida como o processo pelo qual a moeda legal se desvaloriza e passa a expressar uma quantidade menor de valor. A moeda perde poder de compra e passa adquirir menos produtos por causa dessa corrosão. Isto se reflete num aumento do nível geral de preços. A inflação deve ser entendida por esse prisma, e para trazer uma alternativa à interpretação deste fenômeno, faz-se necessário expor inicialmente a teoria monetária de Marx. Este é o objetivo central da tese: apresentar uma possibilidade de explicação para o fenômeno da variação de preços, sobretudo a inflação, numa perspectiva orgânica e histórica, tendo por base a teoria monetária marxiana. Para tanto, é preciso: i) elucidar a possibilidade de partir da teoria do valor para compreender tal fenômeno, sem abrir mão do rigor e sem capitular à crença de que a teoria de Marx é insuficiente para explicar os fenômenos contemporâneos; ii) apresentar argumentos teóricos que interpretem o processo pelo qual a inflação se transforma de um fenômeno esporádico a um convencional, rotineiro. Trabalha-se com as seguintes hipóteses: a) que o dinheiro no capitalismo é inequivocamente mercadoria, pois só assim os trabalhos privados são socialmente validados e a magnitude do valor pode ser devidamente expressa, e; b) que a inflação se deriva da desvalorização da moeda (meio de circulação) em referência ao dinheiro, logo, acontece por razões fundamentalmente monetárias. Quando este fenômeno ganha contornos irreversíveis e permanentes, ou seja, quando suas condições históricas estão plenamente desenvolvidas, assume sua forma crônica. A conclusão é que a inflação advém de mudanças de tipo-preço, especificamente desproporções monetárias com superavit líquido, em vez de mudanças de tipo-valor, como entende a maioria das interpretações autodenominadas marxistas. / Is it possible to start from Marx to define inflation? Although there is no precise definition in his works about such phenomenon – given that, at his time, that was not a relevant economic concern – it is believed that his method and theoretical formulations are the ones that best make possible understanding the complex economic reality and its internal facts. It would not be different with inflation, understood as the process by which the legal tender currency devalues and begins to express a smaller amount of value. The currency loses purchasing power and purchases fewer products because of this corrosion. That is reflected in an increase in general price levels. Inflation must be understood by this prism and, in order to bring an alternative to the interpretation of this phenomenon, it is necessary to expose initially the monetary theory of Marx. That is the main objective of the dissertation, to present a possibility of explanation for the phenomenon of price variation, especially inflation, from an organic and historical perspective, based on Marxian monetary theory. In order to do so, it is necessary to: (i) elucidate the possibility of starting from the theory of value in order to understand this phenomenon, without abandoning rigor and without surrendering to the belief that Marx's theory is insufficient to explain contemporary phenomena; (ii) present theoretical arguments that interpret the process by which inflation is transformed from a sporadic phenomenon to a conventional and routine. We work with the following hypotheses: a) that money in capitalism is commodity, unequivocally, because only then private works are socially validated and the magnitude of value can be duly expressed; b) that inflation derives from the devaluation of the currency (means of circulation) in reference to money, so it happens for fundamentally monetary reasons, and that when this phenomenon gains irreversible and permanent contours, that is, when its historical conditions are fully developed, takes its chronic form. The conclusion is that inflation comes from price-type changes, specifically monetary disproportions with net superavit, rather than value-type changes, as most self-described Marxist interpretations understand it.

This thesis argues that it is both necessary and possible to change the world. Changing the world requires engaging with, to try to understand it from the basis of lived reality, and then acting. Our ability to do this is, however, affected by hegemony, which attempts to convince us that the way things are is either normal and natural and the only possible way they could be, or that it is impossible to change them. Nevertheless, there is always resistance to this, and I suggest that we might learn something useful by examining how this happens. The thesis thus explores Gramsci’s theory of hegemony, and its applicability to our current world; and also considers resistance to this. I argue that the nature of capitalism has shifted, and discuss how this shift has impacted on hegemony, identifying three current interlocking hegemonic ideologies. I consider current resistance to this hegemony, including the role of social movements. Much resistance, and many social movements, I argued, cannot properly be called counter-hegemonic in that, although it/they may critique the dominant economic system, it/they remain trapped within hegemonic logic. However, it is clear that there is existing truly counter-hegemonic resistance, including some social movements, and I argue that Abahlali baseMjondolo is one such counter-hegemonic movement. Thus it is possible that those who join/align themselves with this movement might be considered to have ‘unlearned’ hegemony and be useful subjects for this study. I thus consider the life stories of seven people who have aligned themselves to this movement, in order to determine whether they have indeed ‘unlearned’ hegemony, and if so, how. I discuss relevant and appropriate theory for examining this phenomenon, including experiential learning, transformative learning and Freirean emancipatory learning. I argue that whilst these theories of learning are helpful, they cannot entirely account for unlearning. I then turn to the theory of the event of Alain Badiou as a possible complementary or alternative way into thinking about unlearning. I apply both the learning theories and Badiou’s theory of the event to the stories, all of which show strong evidence of unlearning,, and consider how useful the theories are in understanding this. I conclude that all of the theories help to some extent in understanding the unlearning in stories. There are, however, fundamental differences between the learning theories on the one hand and Badiou’s theory on the other. I construct a model showing that the basis of the difference between the adult learning theories and Badiou’s theory of the event rests on the locus of the trigger for transformation. I argue that Badiou’s theory provides a very useful additional perspective to adult learning theory; but that it cannot be considered to have replaced existing theories in understanding how people learn informally to think and act in counter-hegemonic ways. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.