What are the two radical economic and epistemological shifts that enables the rise of capitalism link this to racism and slavery
The two radical economic and epistemological shifts that enabled the rise of capitalism were the transition from feudalism to a market-based economy and the development of scientific thought during the Enlightenment.
Feudalism was a system in which land was owned by the nobility and worked by peasants in exchange for protection. However, with the rise of capitalism, land became commodified and was bought and sold in a market economy. This shift allowed for the accumulation of wealth and the creation of a capitalist class.
At the same time, the Enlightenment brought about a new way of thinking based on reason and empirical evidence. This led to advances in science and technology, which in turn fueled the rise of capitalism. Capitalism thrives on innovation and efficiency, both of which were promoted by the scientific revolution of the Enlightenment.
Racism and slavery were deeply intertwined with the development of capitalism. The commodification of land and labor allowed for the exploitation of people of color as a cheap source of labor. The capitalist class, seeking to maximize profits, participated in the transatlantic slave trade and the colonization of indigenous lands. This economic exploitation was rationalized through racist ideologies that dehumanized non-white peoples and justified their subjugation.
In conclusion, the rise of capitalism was enabled by radical economic and epistemological shifts that allowed for the accumulation of wealth and the exploitation of marginalized populations. This exploitation was fueled by racist ideologies that justified the subjugation of people of color as a means to facilitate capitalist accumulation.