Swinish Multitude: The origin of a myth.

• Grant number: 23/13735-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Political Science - Political Theory
• Principal Investigator: Eunice Ostrensky
• Grantee: Lucas Barcos Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/04054-5 - Swinish Multitude: The origin of a myth, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

This research project revolves around the translation and circulation of current of thought associated with the Swinish Multitude, based on a documentary analysis based on in pamphlets, newspapers, cartoons and magazines dated between 1790/1834. The research also aims to expand to the remainder of the 19th century in order to seek to understand the process of translation and autonomization related to the Swinish Multitude and the very symbolism of the pig. In his most famous work, Edmund Burke refers to French revolutionaries as a "swinish multitude". From this, start to appear pamphlets of English authors, supporters of the revolution, who take the term for themselves, signing off as members of the swininish multitude in criticism to Burke. After the author's death, however, these pamphlets continue to be referenced and a symbology around the expression "swinish multitude" start to emerge. An expression that, in its process of circulation and translation, begins to be autonomous in relation to its original context, without, however, losing its symbology related to the lower classes and insurgents. Influenced by the methodology that aims to enrich the field of circulation and translation of political thought in Brazil, the research will be based on the hypothesis that it is possible to identify in these writings the formation of a autonomous symbology. It will also work with the hypothesis that these authors and their writings are a embryonic species of organized working class, frustrated, however, by the English oppression andby the rise of the first Napoleon.