International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

Catherine Deneuve,'puritanism' and women's freedom

Lidia Cirillo — 2018-01-27T09:20:15Z

A letter was published in Le Monde newspaper on January 9th signed by artists and intellectuals of whom the most well-known was Catherine Deneuve. It is an unacceptable and mistaken reaction to something which is itself debatable. The letter is a call to women not to give in to the â€˜new puritanism'. The letter argues that while rape is a crime, insistent or unsubtle flirting is not – and neither is gentlemanly courtship equal to macho aggression. For the signatories, the legitimate and necessary awareness of sexual violence against women has been transformed into a conformist moralism:

- IV516 - January 2018 / Italy, France, Women

The probable working class

Lidia Cirillo — 2015-02-03T10:10:24Z

This article is a contribution by the author to a seminar organised by the Communia Network in Italy in July 2014 on the question of the working class today.

- Debate / Italy, Marxism

For another difference

Lidia Cirillo — 2012-09-10T13:52:34Z

It seems to me that within the debate about gender difference a lot of confusion has arisen through the meanings given to the terms used in the discussion and the views behind the various definitions. Some years ago I was rather clear on where I agreed and disagreed with the comrades who identified with Irigaray's ideas.
I really don't know why the debate in “Rifondazione” has ended up putting my mind in a bit of a muddle. But the muddle has not gone so far as to prevent me realising (…)

- Sexual politics / Women, Sexual politics, Features

Italian elections - a first response

Lidia Cirillo — 2008-05-01T19:14:58Z

This interview with Lidia Cirillo of Sinistra Critica was carried out in the immediate aftermath of the Italian elections, which saw a substantial victory of the Berlusconi-led right wing coalition and the defeat of 'centre-left'.

- IV400 - May 2008 / Italy

Feminism of the Anti-Capitalist Left

Lidia Cirillo — 2007-08-26T18:24:00Z

At the beginning of this year the Sinistra Critica (Critical Left) association in Italy had a discussion on drafting a feminist manifesto. While there are elements specific to Italy, the following notes on the discussions by Lydia Cirillo pose many important questions for the updating of a Marxist Feminist analysis.

- IV391 - July-August 2007 / Marxism, Women

Lessons from a Critical Intellectual

Lidia Cirillo — 2005-01-19T19:12:07Z

Lidia Cirillo reflects on nearly 40 years fighting for revolutionary marxism in Italy alongside Livio Maitan. She discusses the victories and defeats of the Italian Fourth International section, and the strengths of Maitan's political vision which historically justified his work, even while he was apparently 'on the margins'.

- Features / Italy, Obituary, Fourth International, Features

Livio Maitan - a man of different times

Lidia Cirillo — 2004-10-16T00:00:00Z

Livio Maitan was a man of different times, but not for reasons of age. Rather, he was a man of different times because he was an organic intellectual - a rare breed that, while not entirely extinct, has precious few surviving members.

- IV361 e-Supplement - Autumn 2004 / Italy, Obituary, Fourth International