From cartism and ludism to abolicionism: the necessary ideological dispute

Abstract

The present work presents itself as an analytical reflection that draws a parallel between the workers’ revolts of the 19th century in the face of the process of industrialization of the mode of production – mechanization of work and overexploitation and the abatement of poverty – and the struggles against imprisonment at the end of the 20th century. And the beginning of the 21st century, from an approximation, both presented themselves – not necessarily as organized movements – but having in common the fight against oppression tools, whether the machines of industrial society or the prisons of post-industrial society. Methodologically, this work has as its theoretical framework the historical materialist approach, and the criminological critique of abolitionist bias. As a conclusive hypothesis, it is believed that a process of profound transformation of society inevitably involves the prison issue, as one of the main tools of segregation and production of suffering in contemporary society, especially highly unequal ones like the Brazilian reality.