WJPMFODJB Z NPEFSOJEBE

Bolivar Fdifwfssb*
Lou Clukcou po guvcblgckgrop pkpip rrkpckrko
swg rrojkbkgrc mcvcr. Fwgrop lou mu comrcukvou dg vodou lou jombrgu, rgro vgcp cpvg u
gpgmkiou dg lc jwmcpkdcd swg po grc roukblg
vgpcgr mgdkcpvg gl copvgpckmkgpvo. Todo gl
cfp dg lou Clukcou guvwvo dkrkikdo c lc
crgcckp dg ckrcwpuvcpckcu gp lcu swg gl mcvcr
{c po ugc rrovgcjouo rcrc pcdkg. Lwcjcrop
copvrc lc vkolgpckc swg cbwuc copvrc lc vkolgpckc swg kmrkdg gl movkmkgpvo. No vccklcrop gp
oropgr vkolgpckc c lc vkolgpckc.
Bgrvolv Brgcjv

Me-ti. El libro de las transformaciones

I
EN ESTE FIN dg ukilo, gp lcu rgikopgu ckvklk}cdcu dgl rlcpgvc, lc

ccvkvwd domkpcpvg gp lc orkpkp rblkcc ccgrcc dg lc vkolgpckc jc

ccmbkcdo copukdgrcblgmgpvg, uk ug lc comrcrc cop lc swg rrgvclgcc c fkpclgu dgl ukilo rcucdo. Tcmbkp gpvopcgu, ror uwrwguvo,
ug rgrwdkcbc gl gmrlgo dg lc vkolgpckc como rgcwruo rolvkco dg
oroukckp c lcu kpuvkvwckopgu guvcvclgu guvcblgckdcu fwgug l lo
mkumo uk grc wp gmrlgo guropvpgo swg wpo rrgrcrcdo. Pgro
cwpswg grc rgcwucdo gp igpgrcl, po dglcbc, ukp gmbcrio, dg ugr
lwuvkfkccdo como ckrcwpuvcpckclmgpvg lgivkmo gp ckgrvcu co{wpvwrcu jkuvrkccu o gp dgvgrmkpcdcu rgikopgu igoirfkccu. Qw ug
lg rodc oblgvcr c lc vkolgpckc dg lou "ccmkucu rolcu" dg Gcrkbcldk,
* Profguor dg lc Fccwlvcd dg Fklouofc { Lgvrcu dg lc UNAM.
365

366

BOLVAR ECHEVERRA

ror glgmrlo, uk jcbc ccvwcdo po ulo gp bkgp dgl rroirguo { lc

lkbgrvcd, ukpo cdgmu gp Ivclkc? Ho{ gp dc, gp ccmbko ugip
kpukuvgp gp kpdwckr { gzrrgucr lou mass media , gug gmrlgo gu rgcjc}cdo po ulo gp igpgrcl ukpo dg mcpgrc cbuolwvc. Dgurwu dg
lc ccdc dgl kmrgrko uovkvkco { lc "rguvkvwckp" dg lou Euvcdou
igpwkpou gp lc Ewrorc cgpvrorkgpvcl, lc orkpkp rblkcc ckvklk}cdc
po crgg roukblg lc gzkuvgpckc dg pkpip ccuo dg gmrlgo dg lc vkolgpckc copvrc lc gpvkdcd guvcvcl swg rwgdc ugr lwuvkfkccdo. Al Euvcdo, gp uwu dou vgrukopgu comrlgmgpvcrkcu, gu dgckr, como kpuvkvwckp pcckopcl { como kpuvkvwckp vrcpupcckopcl, lg corrguropdgrc
gl moporolko vovcl { dgfkpkvkvo dgl wuo dg lc vkolgpckc.
Ep gfgcvo, rcrc lc orkpkp rblkcc domkpcpvg, vcpvo lc ccrcckdcd dg rguolvgr copflkcvou copformg c dgrgcjo como lc ccrcckdcd
dg cbcrccr cop uw rodgr gl coplwpvo dgl cwgrro uockcl, jcbrcp
clccp}cdo gp lc gpvkdcd guvcvcl copvgmrorpgc wp ircdo cgrccpo
c lc rgrfgcckp. Euvc cwcuk rgrfgcckp dg lc gpvkdcd guvcvcl ugrc
lwuvcmgpvg lc swg jccg kmrgpucblg gl uwrikmkgpvo dg wp copflkcvo
swg llgicrc c ugr vcp ciwdo o vcp kpdkvo gpvrg gllc mkumc { gl
cwgrro uockcl, como rcrc lwuvkfkccr o lgikvkmcr wpc rwrvwrc gp copvrc uw{c dg uw moporolko gzclw{gpvg dgl dgrgcjo c lc vkolgpckc. 1
Euvc copfkcp}c gp wpc copcordcpckc rlgpc gpvrg gl Euvcdo { lc
uockgdcd gu lc swg po gzkuvc gp lc orkpkp rblkcc dg jccg ckgp
cou { lc swg dkuvkpiwg c lc dg pwguvrou dcu.
Skgmrrg dg ccwgrdo c lc orkpkp rblkcc iwkcdc ror lou mass
media, lc gpvkdcd guvcvcl cwcuk rgrfgcvc po ugrc ovrc couc swg gl
Euvcdo pgolkbgrcl; gu dgckr, gl guvcdo dg rrgvgpukopgu "roumodgrpcu" swg jc rgvorpcdo c uw vgrukp rwrc { rwrkvcpc; gl Euvcdo
swg, gp wp crrcpswg uvg u lwuvkfkccdo dg fwpdcmgpvclkumo
lkbgrcl, jc rgdwckdo uwu fwpckopgu c lcu swg lg ugrcp rrorkcu; wp
Euvcdo swg jc cbcpdopcdo {c, dgurwu dg lc "frwuvrcpvg" gzrgrkgpckc dgl ukilo zz, guc vglgkdcd uockclkuvokdg { modgrpkuvc swg
lo llgv c kpvgpvcr copvgrvkrug gp wp "Euvcdo kpvgrvgpvor { bgpgfccvor", gp wp "Euvcdo uockcl" o "dg bkgpguvcr".
1
E1 wuo "kpformcl" dg lc vkolgpckc rgrrgukvc gl dg lcu "iwcrdkcu blcpccu", lou
irwrou rcrcmklkvcrgu o rcrcrolkckccou, lcu bcpdcu dg lvgpgu rgugpvkdou (vkro
skinheads), ror glgmrlo po gu vkuvc ror lc orkpkp rblkcc domkpcpvg como wpc
rwrvwrc dg gug moporolko ukpo como wp rgfor}cmkgpvo guropvpgo o "uclvclg"
dgl mkumo. Lo wbkcc, cop rc}p, lwpvo c lcu "gzvrclkmkvcckopgu kpgvkvcblgu
comrrgpukblgu" dg lc rrorkc vkolgpckc guvcvcl.

VIOLENCIA Y MODERNIDAD

367

Como uwglg uwcgdgr, lcu gvkdgpckcu gp copvrc, ror mwcjo swg

ug ccwmwlgp, po uop ccrccgu dg clvgrcr lc lpgc swg ukiwg lc orkpkp rblkcc. Lou mkumou mass media swg gzropgp { copformcp
guvc orkpkp po dglcp dg docwmgpvcr c dkcrko { cop kpukuvgpckc gl
jgcjo cbrwmcdorcmgpvg rgcl dg lc rwrvwrc dg gug moporolko guvcvcl dg lc vkolgpckc; gl jgcjo dgl crgckmkgpvo krrgfrgpcblg dgl wuo
dg lc "vkolgpckc uclvclg", gu dgckr, po kpuvkvwckopclk}cdc. Rgrgvkdcmgpvg, { cop frgcwgpckc ccdc vg} mc{or, lc vkolgpckc ug lg guccrc dg lcu mcpou c lc gpvkdcd guvcvcl, { gu gmrlgcdc vcpvo ror movkmkgpvou dkufwpckopclgu, "cpvkpcckopclgu", dg lc uockgdcd ckvkl
lou fcmouou "ugcvorgu" mcrikpclgu o kpformclgu , como ror
Euvcdou pcckopclgu "gurwrkou" o mcl kpvgircdou gp lc gpvkdcd guvcvcl vrcpupcckopcl dgl pgolkbgrclkumo rgcckou c uccrkfkccr uw kdgpvkdcd rglkikouc o kdgolikcc c lc gleichschaltung gzkikdc ror lc
ilobclk}cckp dgl ccrkvcl. uvc gu wpc rgclkdcd swg po llgvc, ukp
gmbcrio, c lc orkpkp rblkcc domkpcpvg c dwdcr dg lc lwuvkfkccckp olc lgikvkmkdcd dg lc gpvkdcd guvcvcl swg dgvgpvc gl moporolko dg lc vkolgpckc. Lc copdwcg, ror gl copvrcrko, c rcvkfkccr uw cugpvkmkgpvo c gug moporolko, c kpvgrrrgvcr lc rgkvgrcckp { gl gpcopo
cop swg crcrgcg lc "vkolgpckc uclvclg" como lc rgurwguvc uockcl c
wpc kpuwfkckgpckc mgrcmgpvg cwcpvkvcvkvc { rrovkukopcl dg lc ccrcckdcd dgl Euvcdo, { po c wpc kmrgrfgcckp gugpckcl dgl mkumo.
Lo swg uwcgdg gu swg uvg po jcbrc llgicdo cp c uw dgucrrollo
rlgpo; po jcbrc clccp}cdo vodcvc c cwbrkr rlgpcmgpvg, c gzropgr { rguolvgr ror lc vc kpuvkvwckopcl vodou lou copflkcvou swg ug
igpgrcp gp lc uockgdcd ckvkl. Sg vrcvcrc cdgmu dg wpc kpuwfkckgpckc ccgpvwcdc co{wpvwrclmgpvg gp rc}p dgl lvkmo rroirguo
gp lc ilobclk}cckp dg lc gcopomc mwpdkcl, swg jc cmrlkcdo
uwuvcpckclmgpvg lc uwrgrfkckg uockcl swg gl Euvcdo dgbg cwbrkr, {
gp rc}p vcmbkp dg lcu dgformcckopgu swg gug mkumo Euvcdo
vrcg copukio como rguwlvcdo dgl rcvgrpclkumo uockclk}cpvg swg
rrgvclgck gp gl ukilo zz. Kcpvkcpc, ukp ucbgrlo, lc orkpkp rblkcc
dg lc "rocc roumodgrpc" po swkgrg mkrcr gp lc gzccgrbcckp {
lc ciwdk}cckp mopuvrwoucu vcpvo dg lc vkolgpckc uockcl "uclvclg"
o rgbgldg como dg lc vkolgpckc guvcvcl "ckvklk}cdorc" wpc roukblg
rgccvwclk}cckp ccvcuvrfkcc dg lc vkolgpckc cpcguvrcl po uwrgrcdc
ukpo swg ug copvgpvc cop vgpgrlou ror gl rrgcko swg gu kpglwdkblg
rcicr gp gl vrgcjo lvkmo { dgfkpkvkvo dgl ccmkpo swg llgvcrc c lc
copswkuvc dg lc "rc} rgrrgvwc".

368

BOLVAR ECHEVERRA

Sk clio ccdg lc rolvkcc pgolkbgrcl cl mkumo vkro dg wvorc swg

vg gp lcu ovrcu, c lcu swg copdgpc ror klwucu, gu lc jkrocrguc. Sg
comrorvc como uk lc uw{c, c dkfgrgpckc dg lcu ovrcu, swg ugrcp
krrgclk}cblgu, guvwvkgrc {c rgclk}pdoug: jccg como uk lc kplwuvkckc
uockcl po fwgrc uw clkcdc ukpo uw gpgmkic. Lo "wvrkco" gp lc orkpkp rblkcc domkpcpvg gu uw crggpckc gp gl mgrccdo o, mglor
dkcjo, gp lc ckrcwlcckp mgrccpvkl como gucgpcrko dg lc mglor vkdc
roukblg rcrc lou ugrgu jwmcpou. Swropg swg gl "mwpdo fglk}" { lc
"rc} rgrrgvwc" uop rgrfgcvcmgpvg roukblgu; swg uk bkgp cp po
guvp cj, ug gpcwgpvrcp, gp wp fwvwro rrzkmo, cl clccpcg dg lc
vkuvc. Profwpdcmgpvg rgclkuvc ror dgbclo dg uw rgcwlkcr wvorkumo,
lc orkpkp rblkcc pgolkbgrcl vkgpg swg dgfgpdgr, ror lo dgmu, lc
rcrcdolc dg wpc rolvkcc rcdkcclmgpvg crolvkcc o po ckwdcdcpc.
Sgip gllc, gl vrkwpfo dg lc "uockgdcd lwuvc" { gl cdvgpkmkgpvo dg
lc "rc} rgrrgvwc" po dgrgpdgp dg pkpip ccvo volwpvcrko dg lc
uockgdcd como "comwpkdcd pcvwrcl" o como "comwpkdcd rolvkcc", ukpo gzclwukvcmgpvg dg lc vglockdcd cop swg lc "uockgdcd
bwriwguc", ukrvkpdoug dg uw uwrrcguvrwcvwrc guvcvcl, ugc ccrc}
dg "ckvklk}cr" { modgrpk}cr; gu dgckr, ccrc} dg vrcdwckr { copvgrvkr gp copflkcvou dg ordgp gcopmkco, vodou lou copflkcvou swg rwgdcp rrgugpvcrug gp lc vkdc jwmcpc. Upc "mcpo ocwlvc", lc dgl
cwmrlkmkgpvo dg lcu lg{gu mgrccpvklgu dgl kpvgrccmbko ror gswkvclgpckc, rgrcrvkrc, ror u uolc, guropvpgcmgpvg { dg mcpgrc
kmrgccblgmgpvg lwuvc, lc fglkckdcd, { lo jcrc dg ccwgrdo cop lou
mgrgckmkgpvou dg ccdc swkgp. Lc rolvkcc, cwcpdo po gu rgrrgugpvcckp, rgflglo fkgl o uwrrcguvrwcvwrc guvrkcvcmgpvg dgvgrmkpcdc
ror lc uockgdcd ckvkl, po ccwucrc ovrc couc swg guvrciou gp gl
mcpglo dg lou cuwpvou rblkcou ror rcrvg dg lc "mcpo ocwlvc" dgl
mgrccdo.
"Vkvkr { dglcr vkvkr" gu lc pormc dg lc uockgdcd ckvkl. No jc{
swg olvkdcr swg rcrc wp rrorkgvcrko rrkvcdo gu ukgmrrg mu rrovgcjouo gl copvrkpccpvg vkvo copvgrvkdo copvgpkgpvgmgpvg gp
dgwdor swg gl gpgmkio mwgrvo.
Euvrwcvwrclmgpvg rccfkcc, lc "uockgdcd ckvkl" dg lou rrorkgvcrkou rrkvcdou po rgcopocg, obgdgcg pk copucirc ovro rodgr swg
po ugc gl rodgr gcopmkco gp gl ccmro dg lc ofgrvc { lc dgmcpdc
mgrccpvklgu, gu dgckr, swg po vgpic lc fkiwrc dgl vrcbclo igpgrcdor
dg vclor, ccrc} dg mcpkfguvcrug gp wp oblgvo. Pgro, rgug c gllo, lc
vkolgpckc gu clio dg lo swg guvc "uockgdcd ckvkl" po rwgdg rrguckp-

VIOLENCIA Y MODERNIDAD

369

dkr. Ep gfgcvo, uw vgrrkvorko po gu gl cbuvrccvo g kdgcl dg lc gufgrc dg

lc ckrcwlcckp, gp lc swg gl cwgrro dg lou rrorkgvcrkou rrkvcdou po
ugrc mu swg wpc dgrkvcckp cpiglkccl dg uw clmc clgpc c lc vkolgpckc. Sw vgrrkvorko gu, ror gl copvrcrko, gl copcrgvo { rgcl dgl mgrccdo, dopdg lou rrorkgvcrkou rrkvcdou vkgpgp wp cwgrro llgpo dg
crgvkvou rgbgldgu cl copvrol dgl clmc: wp vgrrkvorko uwmcmgpvg
rroclkvg c lc vkolgpckc. Sk gllc ug copuvkvw{g c u mkumc como Euvcdo gu rrgckuc { gzclwukvcmgpvg rcrc crroicrug gl moporolko gp gl
gmrlgo dg lc vkolgpckc, pkcc mcpgrc swg vkgpg dg rrovgigr lc kpvgirkdcd { lc rwrg}c dgl kpvgrccmbko mgrccpvkl po mgpou dg uwu
gpgmkiou gzvgrpou swg dg u mkumc. Ep rrkpckrko, gl wuo dg lc
vkolgpckc swg moporolk}c gl Euvcdo dg lc uockgdcd ckvkl bwriwguc
guv cj rcrc icrcpvk}cr gl bwgp fwpckopcmkgpvo dg lc ckrcwlcckp
mgrccpvkl; rcrc rrovgigrlc dg vodo ovro roukblg wuo dg lc mkumc
ror rcrvg dg lou rrorkgvcrkou rrkvcdou gp gl vgrrgpo dg lc lwcjc
gcopmkcc.
Lc copfkcp}c swg lc orkpkp rblkcc pgolkbgrcl dg guvg fkp dg
ukilo vkgpg gp gl Euvcdo rwrcmgpvg icrcpvg, pgwvrcl { cbuvgpckopkuvc, { gp lc voccckp { lc ccrcckdcd ckvklk}cdorc { rcckfkccdorc
dg uw moporolko dg lc vkolgpckc copfkcp}c swg, como vgcmou,
gu, ror gl ovro lcdo, wpc dgucopfkcp}c kpcopdkckopcl cpvg cwclswkgr wuo cpvkguvcvcl dg lc vkolgpckc , gu gp dgfkpkvkvc wpc copfkcp}c gp lc uockgdcd copcgbkdc como uockgdcd ckvkl o uockgdcd
dg rrorkgvcrkou rrkvcdou { gp lc ccrcckdcd dg guvc uockgdcd ckvkl dg rguolvgr, c uw mcpgrc, cop uw rolvkcc c-rolvkcc o rrgckwdcdcpc, lou copflkcvou dg lc vkdc rblkcc.
Ccbg rrgiwpvcrug, c lc lw} dg vcpvou dcvou kpswkgvcpvgu, swg
rrovkgpgp po ulo dg cswgllcu rgikopgu dgl rlcpgvc gp lcu swg lc
rolvkcc dg lc uockgdcd ckvkl ukiwg ukgpdo krrgmgdkcblgmgpvg
"kmrwrc", ukpo vcmbkp, g kpclwuo cop mc{or frgcwgpckc, dg cswgllcu ovrcu gp lcu swg vcl dgrwrcckp gu {c wpc "copswkuvc" dg vkgmro cvru: guv lwuvkfkccdc guc copfkcp}c ukp fkuwrcu dg lc orkpkp
rblkcc gp lc rrgugpckc rolvkcc dg lc uockgdcd como uockgdcd ckvkl { lc dgucopfkcp}c corrglcvkvc, kiwclmgpvg mopolvkcc, frgpvg c
ovrcu formcu dg uw rrgugpckc rolvkcc: cwcpdo gllc ug copuvkvw{g,
ror glgmrlo, como wpc uockgdcd "pcvwrcl" o como wpc uockgdcd
"ckwdcdcpc"?

370

BOLVAR ECHEVERRA

II
Yc gp 1940, como comrlgmgpvo pgcgucrko dg uw crvkcc dgl Euvcdo
vovclkvcrko (pc}k o dg bcugu "ccrkvclkuvcu" { uvclkpkuvc o dg bcugu
"uockclkuvcu"), Mcz Horkjgkmgr 2 crkvkccbc vcmbkp lc iguvcckp dg
ovrc vgrukp dgl Euvcdo copvgmrorpgo: lc swg vgmou jo{ gzrcpdkrug uobrg gl rlcpgvc gp lc fkiwrc dg gug Euvcdo cwcuk rgrfgcvo o
guc gpvkdcd guvcvcl vrcpupcckopcl rwguvc ror lc pwgvc ilobclk}cckp
ccrkvclkuvc pgolkbgrcl dg lc gcopomc mwpdkcl. Sg vrcvcbc, rcrc
l gp lc mkumc lpgc dg wp guvwdko cpvgrkor dg Hgrbgrv
Mcrcwug 3 dg lc formc gurgcfkccmgpvg occkdgpvcl dgl "Euvcdo
cwvorkvcrko". Skiwkgpdo c Mcrz, Horkjgkmgr cfkrmcbc swg lc gpvkdcd guvcvcl gu icrcpvg dg wpc gufgrc dg lc ckrcwlcckp swg ug gpcwgpvrc ocwrcdc, kpvgrvgpkdc { dgformcdc ror lc rrgugpckc gp
gllc dg wp vkro dg mgrccpcc { dg dkpgro swg obuvccwlk}c
uwuvcpckclmgpvg gl lkbrg lwgio dg lc ofgrvc { lc dgmcpdc. El ircp
ccrkvcl, gucrkbc, cop uwu dkpgrou { uw mgrccdgrc, cop gl rguo
moporlco dg lou mkumou uobrg lcu rrorkgdcdgu rrkvcdcu dgl
rguvo dg lou mkgmbrou dg lc uockgdcd ckvkl, ckgrrc pgcgucrkcmgpvg
gl lwgio dg lcu ororvwpkdcdgu dg kpvgrukp rrodwcvkvc, glkmkpc gl
c}cr como jork}opvg igpwkpo dg lc gufgrc dg lc ckrcwlcckp mgrccpvkl { gl mgrccdo lkbrg g kmropg uw dkcvcdwrc gp lc gufgrc dg lc
uockgdcd ckvkl. Abuvgpgrug dg kpvgrvgpkr gp lc gufgrc dg lc ckrcwlcckp, gp gl lwgio lkbrg dg lc copformcckp dg lou rrgckou mgrccpvklgu; uvg gu gl rrkmgr mcpdcmkgpvo dgl lkbgrclkumo { gl
pgolkbgrclkumo gp lo swg copckgrpg c lc rglcckp dgl Euvcdo cop lc
gcopomc dg lc uockgdcd. Pgro lc po kpvgrvgpckp dgl Euvcdo gp
wpc gcopomc, swg po gu gllc mkumc lkbrg ukpo uomgvkdc, rguwlvc
ugr ovro modo dg kpvgrvgpckp gp gllc, ulo swg mu uwvkl { mu
gfgcvkvo. Lc kpvgrvgpckp dgl Euvcdo gp lc gcopomc po ulo gu lc
kpvgrvgpckp vorrg gp lc gufgrc dg lc ckrcwlcckp, lc swg cdlwdkcc
crbkvrcrkcmgpvg lou rrgckou c lcu mgrccpccu, gp vkolcckp cbkgrvc dg lc lg{ dgl vclor - { swg jcbrp dg ropgr gp rrcvkcc gl Euvcdo fcuckuvc { gl Euvcdo uockclkuvc rgcl ; gu vcmbkp, { uobrg vodo,
2 Mcz Horkjgkmgr, "Awvorkvrgr Svccv", gp Walter Benjamin zun: Gediichtnis.
Lou ngeles, 1942, rr. 131-136 { 145-148.
3
Hgrbgrv Mcrcwug, "Dgr Kcmrf igigp dgp Lkbgrclkumwu kp dgr vovclkvcrgp
Svccvucwffcuuwpi", gp Zeitschrift zur Sozialforschung, v. Hk, 1934, r. 174.

VIOLENCIA Y MODERNIDAD

371

lc kpvgrvgpckp kmrgrcgrvkblg swg copukuvg gp copucircr gl domkpko dgurvkco dg lc rgclk}cckp dgl vclor-ccrkvcl uobrg lc rgclk}cckp dg lou dgmu vclorgu gp gl mwpdo dg lcu mgrccpccu.
Horkjgkmgr rgvorpc lc kdgc dg Mcrz: lc "mcpo kpvkukblg" dgl
mgrccdo gu wpc mcpo ccricdc gp wp ulo ugpvkdo. Lc uockgdcd
ckvkl copdkckopc uw lgmc dg "vkvkr { dglcr vkvkr" c lcu pgcgukdcdgu
vkvclgu dg lc rkswg}c ccrkvclkuvc. Lc uockgdcd ckvkl po gu gl rgkpo dg
lc kiwcldcd ukpo, ror gl copvrcrko, dg lc dgukiwcldcd; dg wpc dgukiwcldcd guvrwcvwrcl, ukuvgmvkccmgpvg rgrrodwckdc, swg lc dkvkdg gp dkuvkpvcu clcugu, movkdcu ror kpvgrgugu po ulo dkvgrigpvgu
ukpo gugpckclmgpvg krrgcopcklkcblgu.
No gu wpc uockgdcd ckvkl, cw{ou copflkcvou kpvgrpou ugcp uwucgrvkblgu dg ugr wpkfkccdou { wpkformcdou, lc swg ug dc c u mkumc
uw rrorko Euvcdo gp lc ckvklk}cckp modgrpc, ukpo wpc uockgdcd
rrofwpdcmgpvg dkvkdkdc, gp lc swg vcpvo lc vkolgpckc dg lc gzrlovcckp gcopmkcc corpo lc rgurwguvc c gllc ugc como gpcopo
cwvodguvrwcvkvo o como brovg dg rgbgldc , dglcp rgukdwou kpgzrrgucdou g kpucvkufgcjou swg ug lwpvcp { clmccgpcp gp lc mgmorkc rrcvkcc dgl mwpdo dg lc vkdc, { ug uwglvcp dg iolrg, cop ugiwrc rgro gpkimvkcc rgiwlcrkdcd, dgucvcpdo uw rovgpckcl
dgvcuvcdor. Por guvc rc}p, gl moporolko guvcvcl dg lc vkolgpckc
po rwgdg glgrcgrug dg ovro modo swg como uclvciwcrdc dg wpc
gufgrc dg lc ckrcwlcckp mgrccpvkl gp lc swg lcu lg{gu dg lc gswkvclgpckc, fwpdkdcu { copfwpdkdcu cop lcu pgcgukdcdgu dg vclork}cckp dgl vclor dg lc mgrccpcc ccrkvclkuvc, ukrvgp dg muccrc c lc
gzrrorkcckp dgl rlwuvclor; gu dgckr, c lc gzrlovcckp dg wpc clcug
uockcl ror ovrc, { gp lc swg gl "rro{gcvo" dg uwrrcguvrwcvwrc rolvkcc o Euvcdo pcckopcl, rrorko dg wpc frccckp dg lc uockgdcd lc
glgcwvorc ({ bgpgfkckcrkc) dg lcu dkuroukckopgu dgl ccrkvcl ug lgvcpvc como uk fwgrc gl dg lc uockgdcd gp uw coplwpvo.
Pgro Horkjgkmgr po ulo rgvorpc guvg rlcpvgcmkgpvo dg Mcrz
ukpo swg lo dgucrrollc dg mcpgrc vlkdc rcrc lc ugiwpdc mkvcd
dgl ukilo zz. El "Euvcdo cwvorkvcrko" gl swg dgurwu ugr llcmcdo "pgolkbgrcl" ug dkuvkpiwg dgl Euvcdo lkbgrcl c rcrvkr dg uw
bcug: lc uockgdcd ckvkl swg vkgpg ror kpfrcguvrwcvwrc po gu {c wpc
uockgdcd "cbkgrvc" ukpo wpc uockgdcd "gpclcwuvrcdc". Lc dgukiwcldcd gpvrg lou copilomgrcdou dg rrorkgdcd rrkvcdc po gu {c ulo wpc dkfgrgpckc cwcpvkvcvkvc o dg ircdo, ukpo wpc dkfgrgpckc
cwclkvcvkvc, dg rcpio o ccuvc. Upc lpgc dkvkuorkc ccmbkcpvg rgro

372

BOLVAR ECHEVERRA

kmrlcccblg ugrcrc c lou rrorkgvcrkou swg guvp cop uwu ccrkvclgu

ror dgbclo dg wp dgvgrmkpcdo pkvgl dg copcgpvrcckp dg cswgllou ovrou swg guvp ror gpckmc dgl mkumo: lou rrkmgrou rouggp
wp ugiwro copvrc lou gfgcvou rgrpkckouou dg lc comrgvgpckc, lou
ugiwpdou, po. Ipcorrwrvkblg { rkiwrouc gp uw jgmkufgrko bclo, lc
gufgrc dg lc ckrcwlcckp uwurgpdg lc vkigpckc dg uwu lg{gu gp uw
jgmkufgrko clvo; rlgpcmgpvg vlkdc gp gl rrkmgro, ug gpcwgpvrc gp
ccmbko "rglcvkvk}cdc", "cpwlcdc" kpclwuo (liquidiert), llgic c gucrkbkr Horkjgkmgr, 4 gp gl ugiwpdo, dopdg ug dglc uwuvkvwkr ror
crrgilou vcpkco-bwrocrvkcou gp lcu cwmbrgu moporlkccu. Todou
kiwclgu, rgro wpou mu { ovrou mgpou swg lou dgmu, lou mkgmbrou dg lc uockgdcd ckvkl pgolkbgrcl gpvkgrrcp gl copflkcvo bukco g
krrguolwblg gpvrg gzrlovcdorgu { gzrlovcdou bclo wpc pwgvc ccrc
dg copflkcvou, lc dg lc dkucrgrcpckc gpvrg lou swg guvp kpmgruou
gp lc lgiclkdcd dg lc gufgrc dg ckrcwlcckp mgrccpvkl { lou swg flovcp uobrg gllc, gpvrg lou swg dgbgp cvgpgrug cl ccmro dg ircvkvcckp dg lc ofgrvc { lc dgmcpdc, dglkmkvcdo ror lcu crkuku rgcwrrgpvgu, { lou swg uop ccrccgu dg mcpkrwlcrlo { dg uclvcr cop rrovgcjo
ror gpckmc dg vclgu crkuku. El Euvcdo pgolkbgrcl, gl Euvcdo cwvorkvcrko "occkdgpvcl", gu gl Euvcdo dg wpc uockgdcd ckvkl cw{c guckukp copuvkvwvkvc gpvrg vrcbclcdorgu { ccrkvclkuvcu guv
uobrgdgvgrmkpcdc ror lc guckukp gpvrg ccrkvclkuvcu mcpkrwlcdou
ror lc ckrcwlcckp mgrccpvkl { ccrkvclkuvcu mcpkrwlcdorgu dg lc
mkumc. Eu gl Euvcdo dg wpc uockgdcd ckvkl copuvrwkdc uobrg lc bcug
dg rglcckopgu uockclgu dg comrgvgpckc mgrccpvkl gp vcpvo swg uop
rglcckopgu swg guvp ukgpdo rgbcucdcu, ccovcdcu { domkpcdcu ror
ovrcu, dg rodgr mgvcmgrccpvkl ("roumgrccpvkl"). Euvc vrcpuformcckp guvrwcvwrcl dg lc uockgdcd ckvkl ofrgcg lc clcvg rcrc gmrrgpdgr lc comrlgmgpvcrkgdcd copflkcvkvc swg jc{ gpvrg lc vgrukp
pcckopcl { lc vgrukp vrcpupcckopcl dg lc gpvkdcd guvcvcl copvgmrorpgc. Lc dkuroukckp moporlkcc uobrg wp cwgrro comwpkvcrko (fwgr}c dg vrcbclo) { wp cwgrro pcvwrcl (vgrrkvorko) fwg lc bcug
dg lc uobgrcpc dgl Euvcdo pcckopcl gp lou vkgmrou dg lc gufgrc dg
lc ckrcwlcckp mgrccpvkl cp po mcpkrwlcdc, gp lc rocc dg lc comrgvgpckc kpvgrpcckopcl gfgcvkvc. Ep lou vkgmrou ccvwclgu, cwcpdo
lou rguwlvcdou dg guvc comrgvgpckc rwgdgp ugr clvgrcdou ror crrgilou dg rodgr mgvcckrcwlcvorkou; cwcpd gl ccrkvcl, swg, como dkcg
4

M. Horkheimer, "Autoritarer Staat", en op. cit., p. 123.

VIOLENCIA Y MODERNIDAD

373

Horkjgkmgr, "gu ccrc} dg uobrgvkvkr c lc gcopomc dg mgrccdo", 5

jc comgp}cdo c jcblcr lc lgpiwc wpkvgrucl dg "lc ckvklk}cckp
jwmcpc" { ug olvkdc dg uwu "dkclgcvou" rcrvkcwlcrgu, gl Euvcdo
pcckopcl, ukp dglcr dg ugr kpdkurgpucblg, jc dglcdo dg ugr wp fkp
gp u mkumo. Sw uobgrcpc, cl rglcvkvk}crug { dkumkpwkrug, ug jc
dguvcpgckdo. Ep lc pwgvc gufgrc dg lc ckrcwlcckp, mgrccpvkl o
pgolkbgrcl, gl ccrkvcl dgurkdg cl Euvcdo pcckopcl dg uw fwpckp dg
vocgro rrkpckrcl uw{o. Ep igpgrcl, dgucopocg lc kmrorvcpckc dg lc
ccrcckdcd dg kpvgrrrgvcr, copfkiwrcr { rlcumcr lou lkpgcmkgpvou
dg uw ccwmwlcckp gp cclkdcd dg mgvcu cwclkvcvkvcu dg wpc gmrrguc jkuvrkcc. Lc pwgvc uockgdcd ckvkl, lc dg "mgpou Euvcdo {
mu uockgdcd", po dgvwglvg c lc uockgdcd lc uobgrcpc swg crrgbcvc cl Euvcdo. Sw rrocgdgr gu mu copvwpdgpvg: glkmkpc lc roukbklkdcd dg vodc cwvcrswc, rkdkcwlk}c lc kdgc mkumc dg uobgrcpc.
El ugr jwmcpo pgolkbgrcl po guv cj rcrc kpvgpvcr { vrcpuformcr
uw rrorko rroircmc dg vkdc, ukpo rcrc cdkvkpcr { glgcwvcr wp rroircmc swg guvcrc {c dcdo { ugrc kpclvgrcblg. Au como rcrc lc
orkpkp rblkcc pgolkbgrcl lc pkcc jkuvorkc swg lg swgdc ror jccgr cl ugr jwmcpo gu wpc po jkuvorkc, cu vcmbkp, rcrc gllc, lc pkcc rolvkcc swg dgbg rgcopocgrug como vkcblg gu, gp vgrdcd, wpc
po-rolvkcc.

III
Podrc dgfkpkrug c lc vkolgpckc cfkrmcpdo swg gu lc cwclkdcd rrorkc dg wpc ccckp swg ug glgrcg uobrg gl ovro rcrc kpdwckr gp l ror
lc fwgr}c gu dgckr, a la limite, mgdkcpvg wpc cmgpc}c dg mwgrvg wp comrorvcmkgpvo copvrcrko c uw volwpvcd, c uw cwvopomc, swg kmrlkcc uw pgicckp como uwlgvo jwmcpo lkbrg.
Pcrgcg ugr swg ckgrvo vkro dg vkolgpckc po ulo gu kpglwdkblg gp
lc copdkckp jwmcpc, ukpo copuvkvwvkvo dg gllc, dg uw rgcwlkcrkdcd dg uwu ircpdg}cu { uwu mkugrkcu, dg uwu mcrcvkllcu { uwu
cbomkpcckopgu gp mgdko dg lc copdkckp dg lou dgmu ugrgu.
Sg vrcvc dg wpc vkolgpckc c lc swg rodrcmou llcmcr "dkclcvkcc",
rwguvo swg swkgp lc glgrcg { swkgp lc uwfrg mcpvkgpgp gpvrg u c
vrcvu dgl vkgmro, mu cll dgl momgpvo ccvwcl, wp lc}o ef rgckrrockdcd, wpc comrlkckdcd swg copvkgrvg cl ccvo vkolgpvo gp lc
5

Ibid., p. 125.

374

BOLVAR ECHEVERRA

vc dg vrpukvo c wpc fkiwrc mu rgrfgcvc dg uw gzkuvgpckc coplwpvc. Sg vrcvc dg lc vkolgpckc rrccvkccdc como rckdgkc, como dkuckrlkpc o cucguku swg llgvc vcpvo cl ccvor como cl rcckgpvg dg lc vkolgpckc, vcpvo cl "gdwccdor" como cl "gdwccpdo", c ccmbkcr wp pkvgl
mu rrgccrko { glgmgpvcl dg comrorvcmkgpvo ror wpo mu rlgpo
{ ucvkufccvorko. Eu lc vkolgpckc swg kmrlkcc lc vrcpukckp como rwrvwrc dg wp continuum c lc swg ug rgfkgrg Wclvgr Bgplcmkp gp uwu
Tesis sobre la historia { dg lc swg Mcrk { Epiglu jcblcbcp como
"rcrvgrc dg lc jkuvorkc".
Vkolgpckc dkclcvkcc ugrc, ror glgmrlo, rcrc po mgpckopcr lc
vkolgpckc kpvgruwblgvkvc mu copockdc swg gu lc swg rrgvclgcg gp
gl mwpdo dgl grovkumo, lc dgl cucgvc muvkco ccvlkco dgl ukilo XVII,
swg dkvkdg { dgudoblc uw {o, { ug ropg cpvg u mkumo como rwro
cwgrro, como wp ovro cl swg mcrvkrk}c, uobrg gl swg glgrcg vkolgpckc cop gl fkp dg pgicr uw modo ccvwcl dg gzkuvgpckc { cucgpdgr c
wp modo dg gzkuvgpckc uwrgrkor gp gl swg l mkumo { uw ovro {o,
uw cwgrro rgcobrcdo, clccp}cp momgpvpgcmgpvg gl status dg lc
uclvcckp.
Eugpckclmgpvg dkfgrgpvg dg lc vkolgpckc dguvrwcvkvc swg gu lc
swg rgrukiwg lc cbolkckp o glkmkpcckp dgl ovro como uwlgvo lkbrg, lc swg copuvrw{g cl ovro como gpgmkio, como cliwkgp swg
ulo rwgdg ugr cpkswklcdo o rgbclcdo c lc cpkmclkdcd , lc vkolgpckc dkclcvkcc gu lc swg uwb{ccg gp vodcu lcu copuvrwcckopgu dg
mwpdo uockcl lgvcpvcdcu ror gl ugr jwmcpo gp lcu roccu crcckccu swg uwcgdkgrop c lc llcmcdc "rgvolwckp pgolvkcc" { swg gp
mwcjou curgcvou gugpckclgu jcp rgrdwrcdo jcuvc pwguvrou dcu, c
vrcvu kpclwuo dg vodc lc jkuvorkc dg lc modgrpkdcd. Upc "vkolgpckc bgpkipc", swg uccc dg uw pcvwrclkdcd cl ugr jwmcpo, rgrrkmkgpdo o forvclgckgpdo dgumguwrcdcmgpvg dgvgrmkpcdou curgcvou dg uw uwuvcpckc cpkmcl, rcrc cdgcwcrlc ukuvgmvkccmgpvg gp
wpc fkiwrc dg jwmcpkdcd; wpc vkolgpckc swg copvkgrvg gp vkrvwd,
gp wp jgcjo crmpkco o "cmcblg", lc pgcgukdcd guvrcvikcc dg
uccrkfkccr ckgrvcu roukbklkdcdgu dg vkdc gp fcvor dg ovrcu, rgcopockdcu como lcu pkccu kpdkurgpucblgu rcrc lc uwrgrvkvgpckc
comwpkvcrkc gp mgdko dg lc guccug} dg ororvwpkdcdgu dg vkdc o
lc jouvklkdcd dg lo gzvrcjwmcpo . 6 Upc vkolgpckc copuvrwcvkvc,
6
"Amcblg" jcckc cdgpvro, lc vkolgpckc crcckcc gu gp lou rgrkodou po ccvcuvrfkcou kmrlcccblgmgpvg dguvrwcvkvc, cpkswklcdorc, cwcpdo ug vkgrvg jcckc cfwgrc,

VIOLENCIA Y MODERNIDAD

375

dkclcvkcc o rckdgkcc, guv ukp dwdc gp gl fopdo dg lc vkdc jwmcpc

kpuvkvwckopcl { ckvklk}cdc. Cwlvwrc gu pcvwrc uwblkmcdc, vrcpupcvwrclk}cdc, gpugcbc, lwpvo cop ovrou, Mcrcwug jccg vrgkpvc cou;
{ uwblkmcckp, dgcc, gu cwvovkolgpckc rgrfgcckopcdorc, gu uccrkfkcko crgcvkvo.
Lc vkolgpckc dkclcvkcc dg lcu comwpkdcdgu crcckccu gu jklc dg
wpc ukvwcckp dg "guccug} cbuolwvc"; gu dgckr, dg wpcu copdkckopgu gp lcu swg gl mwpdo pcvwrcl rrgugpvc wp ccrcvgr kpcopdkckopclmgpvg kpjurkvo rcrc lcu gzkigpckcu gurgcfkccu dgl mwpdo
jwmcpo. Lc guccug} cbuolwvc gu wpc copdkckp swg vwglvg c lc
gzkuvgpckc jwmcpc couc dg mklciro, cfkrmcckp dgugurgrcdc, ukgmrrg gp rglkiro, gp mgdko dg lc cmgpc}c ompkrrgugpvg; swg ropg
cl rccvo mikco cop lo Ovro como wp rgcwruo mu gfgcvkvo dg rrodwcckp dg lou bkgpgu pgcgucrkou swg lc ccckp vcpkcc uobrg lc
pcvwrclg}c.
Lc fcuckpcckp cbkumcl swg glgrcgp lcu "cwlvwrcu rrkmkvkvcu"
uobrg gl gpvgpdkmkgpvo modgrpo rgukdg gp swg lc guccug} cbuolwvc uobrg lc swg copuvrw{gp gl gdkfkcko kpfkpkvcmgpvg comrlglo, { cl
mkumo vkgmro vcp swgbrcdk}o dg uwu kpuvkvwckopgu, mcpkfkguvc o
ccvwclk}c dg lc mcpgrc mu rwrc guc ovrc "guccug}" swg rodrc
llcmcrug "opvolikcc" { swg ugrc gl corrglcvo dg lo swg Kcpv llcmcbc gl "mcl rcdkccl", Hgkdgiigr { Scrvrg lc "lkbgrvcd", { swg gp
lc mkvoloic lwdgocrkuvkcpc crcrgcg como cswgllc uobgrbkc, gpccrpcdc gp lc Sgrrkgpvg, swg llgvc c Adp c vgrug "como Dkou", dwgo dg "wpc rclcbrc swg po ulo pombrc, ukpo swg, cl pombrcr,
crgc lc couc pombrcdc" (Bgplcmkp), { c mgpourrgckcr gl ordgp dg
lc Crgcckp, c vgpgr cl Pcrcuo vgrrgpcl como "rocc couc", c ropgrlo como "guccuo" rgurgcvo dg uwu cmbkckopgu. Lcu "cwlvwrcu
rrkmkvkvcu" ropdrcp cl dgupwdo lc cmbkvclgpckc rcdkccl dgl guvcr gzrwlucdou dgl Pcrcuo, dg lc "copdgpc c lc lkbgrvcd" (Scrvrg)
copvrc gl ovro. Eu wpc vkolgpckc swg vkgpg dou roukbklkdcdgu gzvrgmcu, lc dg cpkswklcr cl ovro o lc dg "dgvorcrlo"; lc dg dgvolvgrlo c lc kpgzkuvgpckc "dg dopdg po
dgbk jcbgr uclkdo", o lc dg crrovgcjcr cswgllou glgmgpvou dg l swg fwgrop fgfd.
ujwpt gp gl rccvo cop lo Ovro. Euvc ugiwpdc roukbklkdcd, gp rgrkodou dg ccvuvrofg,
cwcpdo lc comwpkdcd guv gp vrcpcg dg rgvkucr uw copuvkvwckp, dg rgrlcpvgcr uw
rrorko rccvo cop lo Ovro, gu lc swg jc cbkgrvo lc vc c lc jkuvorkc dg lc cwlvwrc como
jkuvorkc dg wp mguvk}clg kpcgucpvg. Lc "cbuorckp dgl ovro" ug dc como wpc rgcopuvrwcckp dg u mkumo, como wp jgcjo gp gl swg gl vrkwpfo rrorko ug rgvglc como wpc dgrrovc, lc dgrrovc dgl ovro como wp vrkwpfo.

376

BOLVAR ECHEVERRA

swg ccrccvgrk}c c lc copdkckp jwmcpc: dgucmrcro, copvkpigpckc,

vorrg}c, ror wp lcdo, rgro cwvcrswc, cwvocfkrmcckp, crgcvkvkdcd,
ror ovro. Lc vkolgpckc rrkmkvkvc fcuckpc ror lo swg gp gllc jc{ dg
wp uobrgropgrug c lc pcdc.
Ncckdc gp vkrvwd dg wpc rgcwlkcr guvrcvgikc dg uobrgvkvgpckc,
dg rgbgldc frgpvg c lc copdgpc c mwgrvg swg gl coplwpvo de lc
vkdc cpkmcl dkcvc copvrc lc vkdc jwmcpc, lc comwpkdcd crcckcc
vg gp lc frmwlc dg guc guvrcvgikc gl ugcrgvo swg icrcpvk}c lc gzkuvgpckc mkumc dg gllc { uw mwpdo. Frmwlc dg wpc mcpgrc rgcwlkcr dg glgrcgr lc vkolgpckc copvrc lc cpkmclkdcd pcvwrcl { gp fcvor
dg wpc cpkmclkdcd uockcl; dg wucrlc dg mcpgrc rrodwcvkvc, "uwblkmcdorc" o dkclcvkcc. Lc frmwlc dg lc guvrcvgikc dg uwrgrvkvgpckc gp vorpo c lc cwcl ug copuvkvw{g lc comwpkdcd crcckcc gu
rwguvc ror uvc gp cclkdcd dg pclgo dg lc formc swg lc dkuvkpiwg,
dg uw kdgpvkdcd o mkumkdcd, { cl mkumo vkgmro dg icrcpvc dg uw
rgrmcpgpckc gp gl mwpdo. Lc vkolgpckc copvrc pcvwrc swg guv gp
lc bcug dg lc copuvrwcckp crcckcc dg lc kdgpvkdcd llgvc pgcgucrkcmgpvg cl jgcjo dg swg lc comwpkdcd po rwgdc rrguckpdkr dg lc
"copuvrwcckp" dgl ovro - dgl ovro vcpvo cl kpvgrkor dg gllc como
frgpvg c gllc gp cclkdcd dg gpgmkio, dg roukblg oblgvo dg uw vkolgpckc dguvrwcvkvc. El ovro, ugc gl swg dgucopocg lc pormc o gl swg
vkgpg ovrcu pormcu, ugrkc gugpckclmgpvg dkipo dg odko rorswg rgruopkfkcc wpc clvgrpcvkvc frgpvg cl ethos swg copucircdo gp lc formc ukpiwlcrk}c g kdgpvkfkcc cl cwgrro comwpkvcrko { cl mwpdo
dg uw vkdc. Lo ugrc rorswg, cl jccgrlo, cl mouvrcr swg lc vkdc
vcmbkp rwgdg ugr rgrrodwckdc dg ovrc mcpgrc, vwglvg gvkdgpvg
lo swg gu kpdkurgpucblg swg guv ocwlvo: lc copvkpigpckc dgl fwpdcmgpvo dg lc rrorkc kdgpvkdcd, gl jgcjo dg swg lc formc dg uvc
po gu lc pkcc roukblg; dg swg po gu kpcopdkckopclmgpvg vlkdc {
uw copukuvgpckc po vkgpg lc cwvorkdcd dg lo Ovro; dg swg po gu wpc
copukuvgpckc "pcvwrcl" ukpo "copvrcpcvwrcl", ukmrlgmgpvg jwmcpc: crvkfkckcl, uwuvkvwkblg.

IV
El fwpdcmgpvo dg lc modgrpkdcd rcrgcg guvcr gp wp fgpmgpo
dg lc jkuvorkc rrofwpdc { dg mw{ lcric dwrcckp, cw{ou kpkckou lc
cpvroroloic jkuvrkcc dkuvkpiwg {c cop pkvkdg}, ror lo mgpou gp

VIOLENCIA Y MODERNIDAD

377

gl copvkpgpvg gwrorgo, 7 clrgdgdor dgl ukilo zII: gl rgvolwckopcmkgpvo "roupgolvkco" dg lcu fwgr}cu rrodwcvkvcu. Sg vrcvc dg wpc
vrcpuformcckp "groccl" rorswg kmrlkcc gl cdvgpkmkgpvo dg wp
vkro dg guccug} pwgvo, dgucopockdo jcuvc gpvopcgu ror gl ugr jwmcpo, gl dg lc "guccug} rglcvkvc" o, vkuvo cl rgvu, gl crcrgckmkgpvo
dg wp vkro kpdkvo dg "cbwpdcpckc", lc cbwpdcpckc igpgrcl rgclmgpvg roukblg. El ircdo dg rrobcbklkdcd dg swg lc ccvkvkdcd jwmcpc rguwlvg rrodwcvkvc gp uw vrcbclo uobrg wp vgrrkvorko { gp wp
rgrkodo dgvgrmkpcdou, ukp dgrgpdgr dg uwu rgcwruou mikcou,
rcucbc clcrcmgpvg dg lcu ckfrcu "gp rolo" c lcu ckfrcu "gp pgiro".
Ep vkrvwd dg guvg jgcjo dgckukvo, lc cukmgvrc kpuclvcblg gpvrg lo
jwmcpo { lo gzvrcjwmcpo, gpvrg lc rrgccrkgdcd dg lo wpo { lc
fwgr}c crrollcdorc dg lo ovro, swg rrgvclgck "dgudg gl rrkpckrko"
gp gl gucgpcrko dg uwu rglcckopgu rrcvkccu, vgpdrc c ugr uwuvkvwkdc ror wpc ukmgvrc roukblg, ror wp gswklkbrko kpguvcblg o wp gmrcvg rglcvkvo gpvrg lou dou. Lc guccug} dglcrc dg mgdkrug jcckc
cbclo, rgurgcvo dg lc mwgrvg roukblg, dg lc pgicckp { lc dkumkpwckp dg lc vkdc, { comgp}crc c mgdkrug jcckc crrkbc, copvgrvkdc
{c gp "cbwpdcpckc", rgurgcvo dg lc vkdc roukblg, dg uw cfkrmcckp
{ gprkswgckmkgpvo. Eu wp ikro jkuvrkco swg rgvkgrvg rcdkcclmgpvg
lc ukvwcckp rgcl dg lc copdkckp jwmcpc. Lc roukbklkdcd dg wpc
cbwpdcpckc rglcvkvc igpgrclk}cdc vrcg copukio wpc "rromguc" dg
gmcpckrcckp: ropg gp gpvrgdkcjo lc pgcgukdcd dg rgrgvkr gl wuo
dg lc vkolgpckc copvrc lcu rwlukopgu gl uccrkfkcko como conditio
sine qua non vcpvo dgl ccrcvgr jwmcpo dg lc vkdc como dgl mcpvgpkmkgpvo dg uwu formcu ckvklk}cdcu. Lkbgrc c lc uockgdcd dg lc
pgcgukdcd dg ugllcr uw oricpk}cckp cop wpc kdgpvkdcd gp lc swg
ug crkuvclk}c wp rccvo cop lo Ovro, { swkvc cu gl rkuo c lc pgcgukdcd
dg "copuvrwkr" cl ovro, kpvgrpo o gzvgrpo, como gpgmkio. 8
7

Dgudg gl dgucrrollo dgl crcdo rgucdo { lc vrccckp cpkmcl, rcucpdo ror lc kpvrodwcckp dg lou molkpou dg ciwc { dg vkgpvo { lc modkfkccckp ad hoc dgl dkugo
mgcpkco, jcuvc lc copformcckp dg lc vovclkdcd dgl rgswgo copvkpgpvg gwrorgo
como wp uolo ccmro kpuvrwmgpvcl (wp "mccromgdko dg rrodwcckp"), vodo copvrkbw{g c swg, dgurwu dg Mcrc Blocj, ugcp {c mwcjou lou cwvorgu swg kpukuvgp gp
rgcopocgr lc ccckp dg wpc rgvolwckp vgcpolikcc dg clccpcg "groccl" dwrcpvg lc
Edcd Mgdkc vcrdc. Cf. L{pp Wjkvg Jr., Medieval technology and social change. Ozford, 1980.
8 Eu ucp Frcpckuco dg Auu, rcrcdlkccmgpvg, gl swg, cop uw copfkcp}c ckgic gp
swg "Dkou rrovggr", rgrckbg { cpwpckc c uw mcpgrc lc rrgugpckc dg guvg vkrclg
jkuvrkco.

378

BOLVAR ECHEVERRA

Tcl vg} lo ccrccvgruvkco lo vrikccmgpvg ccrccvgruvkco dg

lc modgrpkdcd, cw{c crkuku vkvkmou gp guvg fkp dg ukilo, guv gp
swg gllc jc ukdo c lc vg} lc rgclk}cckp { lc pgicckp dg gug
rgvolwckopcmkgpvo dg lcu fwgr}cu rrodwcvkvcu swg comgp} c
rgrfklcrug jccg {c vcpvou ukilou. Lc modgrpkdcd dgbk gpvrgicrug
cl comrorvcmkgpvo ccrkvclkuvc dgl mgrccdo swg copukuvg gp ucccr wp rlwuvclor comrrcpdo bcrcvo rcrc vgpdgr ccro como
mvodo { dkuroukvkvo ccrc} dg kpvrodwckr gp lc vkdc gcopmkcc gl
rroirgukumo { gl wpkvgruclkumo kpdkurgpucblgu rcrc gl dgurlkgiwg gfgcvkvo dg dkcjo rgvolwckopcmkgpvo. Lc uwbordkpcckp dgl
gprkswgckmkgpvo cwclkvcvkvo dgl mwpdo dg lc vkdc c lcu dkrgcvkvcu
rrovgpkgpvgu dg lc vorcckdcd dgl ccrkvcl gp uw cwvovclork}cckp;
lc kpuvcwrcckp dgl rrodwcvkvkumo cbuvrccvo g klkmkvcdo como jork}opvg dg lc ccvkvkdcd jwmcpc, dgbkgrop, rcrcdlkccmgpvg, cpwlcr lwuvo cswgllo swg dgbcp rromovgr, uw rrorko fwpdcmgpvo: lc
guccug} rglcvkvc, lc cbwpdcpckc roukblg.
Ep gfgcvo, cl iwkcrug ror gl lgmc dg "lc rrodwcckp ror lc rrodwcckp mkumc", lc modgrpkdcd dgbk vcmbkp rgrmkvkr gl kpirguo dgl ccrkvclkumo gp lc gufgrc dg lcu rglcckopgu dg rrodwcckp.
Dgbk rgrmkvkr lc rrodwcckp ukuvgmvkcc dg gug rlwuvclor mgdkcpvg lc comrrcvgpvc dg lc fwgr}c dg vrcbclo dg lou vrcbclcdorgu
{ lc gzvrccckp dkrgcvc dgl rlwuvclor. Y como lc orvkmk}cckp dg
uvc dgrgpdg dg lc vgpdgpckc c lc dgrrgukp rglcvkvc dgl vclor
dg lc fwgr}c dg vrcbclo rgurgcvo dgl dg lcu ovrcu mgrccpccu, { como
gl ugcrgvo dg guc vgpdgpckc guv gp lc crgcckp ukuvgmvkcc dg wpc
dgmcpdc gzcgdgpvg dg rwguvou dg vrcbclo, dg wpc "rrgukp dgl
glrckvo kpdwuvrkcl dg rgugrvc uobrg lcu ororvwpkdcdgu dg vrcbclo"
como guvcblgck Mcrz gp lc "lg{ igpgrcl dg lc ccwmwlcckp ccrkvclkuvc" , lc modgrpkdcd ccrkvclkuvc vwvo swg vglcr, cpvgu swg
pcdc, ror swg gl coplwpvo dg lou vrcbclcdorgu guv ukgmrrg ccoucdo ror lc cmgpc}c dgl dgugmrlgo o gl mcl gmrlgo; gu dgckr, ukgmrrg gp vrcpcg dg rgrdgr uw dgrgcjo c lc gzkuvgpckc. Dgbk ror gllo
rrodwckr { rgrrodwckr, rrkmgro { uobrg vodo, guvc copdkckp dg u
mkumc: lc uobrgroblcckp, lc kpuwfkckgpckc dg lc rkswg}c. Dgbk
cfgrrcrug cl guswgmc crcckco dg lc guccug} cbuolwvc; rg-crgcrlc
crvkfkckclmgpvg dgpvro dg lc pwgvc ukvwcckp rgcl, lc dg lc guccug}
o cbwpdcpckc rglcvkvcu.
Al volvgrug copvrc uw rrorko fwpdcmgpvo, cl rgcbuolwvk}cr
crvkfkckclmgpvg lc guccug}, lc modgrpkdcd ccrkvclkuvc rwuo c lc uo-

VIOLENCIA Y MODERNIDAD

379

ckgdcd jwmcpc, gp rrkpckrko, como copuvkvwvkvcmgpvg kpucckcblg

o kpfkpkvcmgpvg vorc} {, cl mkumo vkgmro, c lc rkswg}c como ukgmrrg fclvcpvg o krrgmgdkcblgmgpvg kpcomrlgvc. Rgkpuvcl cu lc pgcgukdcd dgl uccrkfkcko como conditio sine qua non dg lc uockclkdcd, {
lo jk}o mwlvkrlkcpdolc ror dou, dovpdolc dg wpc gfkccckc dgucopockdc gp lou vkgmrou crcckcou. Rgrwuo gl gucgpcrko "rrkmkvkvo"
dg lc vkolgpckc, rgro swkvpdolg uw dkmgpukp dkclcvkcc o rckdgkcc
{ dglpdolg pkccmgpvg uw dkmgpukp dguvrwcvkvc. Eu wp gucgpcrko swg po cdmkvg uolkdcrkdcd cliwpc gpvrg "vgrdwio" { "vcvkmc" { swg po ug cbrg jcckc lc rgrfgcckp ukpo jcckc gl dgvgrkoro.
No gu ircckcu c lc formc ccrkvclkuvc dg lc modgrpkdcd swg cl mwpdo modgrpo lg guv dcdo vgpgr wpc gzrgrkgpckc dg lc cbwpdcpckc
{ lc gmcpckrcckp, ukpo c rgucr uw{o. 9
Lc vkolgpckc fwpdcmgpvcl gp lc rocc dg lc modgrpkdcd ccrkvclkuvc cswgllc gp lc swg ug cro{cp vodcu lcu ovrcu, jgrgdcdcu,
rgccvkvcdcu o kpvgpvcdcu gu lc swg rguwglvg dc c dc lc copvrcdkcckp swg jc{ gpvrg lc cojgrgpckc "pcvwrcl" dgl mwpdo dg lc
vkdc: lc "likcc" dgl vclor dg wuo, { lc cojgrgpckc ccrkvclkuvc dgl
mkumo: lc "likcc" dg lc vclork}cckp dgl vclor. Lc vkolgpckc uomgvg o uwbordkpc ukuvgmvkccmgpvg lc rrkmgrc dg guvcu dou cojgrgpckcu o "likccu" c lc ugiwpdc. Eu lc vkolgpckc rgrrgukvc glgmgpvcl swg po rgrmkvg swg lo swg gp lou oblgvou dgl mwpdo jc{ dg
crgcckp, ror wp lcdo, { dg rromguc dg dkufrwvg, ror ovro, ug rgclkcg gfgcvkvcmgpvg, ukpo gu como uororvg o rrgvgzvo dg lc vclork}cckp dgl vclor. Eu lc vkolgpckc swg gpcwgpvrc cl comrorvcmkgpvo jwmcpo guckpdkdo { dgudoblcdo gp dou ccvkvwdgu dkvgrigpvgu,
copvrcdkcvorkcu gpvrg u: lc wpc cvrcdc ror lc "formc pcvwrcl" dgl
mwpdo { lc ovrc uwb{wicdc ror uw formc mgrccpvkl-ccrkvclkuvc,
wpc formc uvc swg ccuvkic { uccrkfkcc ukgmrrg c lc rrkmgrc gp
bkgp { rrovgcjo dg lc ugiwpdc.
Lc cmgpc}c ompkrrgugpvg gp swg guv wpo, gp vcpvo swg ug gu
uwlgvo dg crgcckp { iocg o "fwgr}c dg vrcbclo { dkufrwvg", dg ugr
copvgrvkdo gp wp ovro-gpgmkio, oblgvo "lwuvkfkccdo" dgl wuo cogr9
El copuwmkumo, ror glgmrlo, como wp fwrkouo copuwmkr o wpc vkolgpckc
copvrc lcu coucu swg copukuvg gp rcucr uobrg gllcu dglpdolcu como rgswgou
mopvopgu dg rgukdwou, dguvkpcdou c kpcrgmgpvcr wpc uolc kpmgpuc mopvcc dg
bcuwrc , rwgdg ugr vkuvo como wpc rgccckp cpvg lc kpccrcckdcd dg dkufrwvcr gl
vclor dg wuo dgl swg ug gu rrorkgvcrko, cpvg lc copdgpc c rgrmcpgcgr gp lc guccug} guvcpdo gp lc cbwpdcpckc.

380

BOLVAR ECHEVERRA

ckvkvo dg lc fwgr}c, rgro po ror rcrvg dg lou ovrou, dgudg fwgrc,

como uwcgdg gp ukvwcckopgu rrgmodgrpcu, ukpo ror rcrvg dg wpo
mkumo como rrorkgvcrko dg mgrccpcc swg kpvgrkork}c gl kpvgru dgl mgrccdo , guvo gu lo swg dc uw copukuvgpckc gurgcfkcc c lc
vkolgpckc modgrpc. Eu wpc ccdgpc o wpc rgd, vodo wp vglkdo dg
ukvwcckopgu dg vkolgpckc vkrvwcl swg ircvkvc ror dgpvro { rgcorrg
gl coplwpvo dgl cwgrro uockcl kmropkgpdo gp lc1 vkdc covkdkcpc wpc
cucguku rrodwcvkvkuvc, wp ethos ccrccvgruvkco.
Eu rrgckucmgpvg guvc cucguku rrodwcvkvkuvc, swg cuwmg g
kpvgrkork}c lc vkolgpckc dg lcu rglcckopgu ccrkvclkuvcu dg rrodwcckp, lc swg, igpgrclk}cdc gp gl comrorvcmkgpvo dg lc comwpkdcd, ccwmwlc wpc gpormg mcuc dg frwuvrcckp kpgvkvcblg. Copvgrvkdc gp rwlukp cwvodguvrwcvkvc, lc vkolgpckc bukcc dg lc
modgrpkdcd ccrkvclkuvc po clccp}c c ccuvkicr dgfkpkvkvcmgpvg
cl cwgrro uockcl, swg lc bwrlc ukgmrrg { uobrgvkvg. Frwuvrcckp
ccwmwlcdc como rgpcor { rgugpvkmkgpvo oblgvkvou, kpucrkvou gp gl
mwpdo, swg ug vkgrvg gpvopcgu uobrg gl ovro, wp ovro "gzvgrkor",
rgclwvcdo gpvrg lou clgpou c lc comwpkdcd, gpvrg lou swg po ug lg
uomgvgp lou "po gucoikdou" , cl swg "copuvrw{g" gp cclkdcd
dgl ovro-gpgmkio, gp lc fkiwrc dg wpc ugrkg dg colgcvkvou "jouvklgu" c lc "kpvgirkdcd" comwpkvcrkc.
Lcu formcu crcckccu dg lc vkolgpckc dguvrwcvkvc po ulo po dgucrcrgcgp o vkgpdgp c dgucrcrgcgr gp lc modgrpkdcd ccrkvclkuvc
ukpo swg, ror gl copvrcrko, rgcrcrgcgp rgfwpckopclk}cdcu uobrg wp
vgrrgpo doblgmgpvg rrorkcko, gl dg wpc guccug} swg po vkgpg {c
pkpiwpc rc}p vcpkcc dg ugr { swg, ukp gmbcrio, ukiwkgpdo wpc
"likcc rgrvgruc", dgbg ugr rgrrodwckdc. Lc jkuvorkc dgl rrolgvcrkcdo gp lou ukilou XVIII { zkz; dg lcu roblcckopgu colopk}cdcu gp
lou ukilou zkz { zz; dg lou "lwmrgp", kpformclgu o mcrikpcdou; dg
lcu "mkporcu" dg rc}c, ipgro, rglkikp, orkpkp, gvcvgrc, uop ovrcu
vcpvcu jkuvorkcu dg lou ovrou-gpgmkiou swg lc "comwpkdcd pcckopcl", lgvcpvcdc ror lou rrorkgvcrkou rrkvcdou gp vorpo c wpc ccwLc vkolgpckc dguvrwcvkvc swgdc cu vovclmgpvg dkufrc}cdc dg vkolgpckc
dkclcvkcc { ulo ror gzcgrckp, gp lou grkuodkou dg rgrrgukp cbkgrvc o gp lcu iwgrrcu, ug rrgugpvc como lo swg gu. Ep roccu rrgmodgrpcu, lc vkolgpckc dguvrwcvkvc
po pgcgukv dkufrc}crug dg este modo; lo jccc ulo gzcgrckopclmgpvg, rwgu lc
rgilc grc rgcopockdc { lwuvkfkccdc ror rc}opgu "pcvwrclgu". Sobrg guvg vgmc vcug,
dgl cwvor, "Modgrpkdcd { ccrkvclkumo" (Tguku 10), gp Ilusiones de la modernidad.
Mzkco, El Eswklkbrkuvc, 1995.
10

VIOLENCIA Y MODERNIDAD

381

mwlcckp dgl ccrkvcl, jc ucbkdo "copuvrwkr" rcrc uw cwvocfkrmcckp. "A copvrcrglo" como Bgplcmkp dgcc swg wp mcvgrkclkuvc
dgbg copvcr lc jkuvorkc , lc jkuvorkc dgulwmbrcpvg dg lc modgrpkdcd ccrkvclkuvc, dg uwu rroirguou { uwu lkbgrcckopgu, mouvrcrc uw
lcdo uombro. Sw pcrrcckp vgpdrc swg vrcvcrlc rrkmgro como wpc
jkuvorkc dg orrgukopgu, rgrrgukopgu { gzrlovcckopgu; como lc jkuvorkc dg lou kppwmgrcblgu joloccwuvou { igpockdkou dg vodo vkro
swg jcp vgpkdo lwicr dwrcpvg lou ukilou swg jc dwrcdo, {gp gurgckcl gp uvg swg guv ror vgrmkpcr.

V
Lc buswgdc dg wpc uockgdcd lwuvc, lc grrcdkccckp dg lc vkolgpckc dguvrwcvkvc, lc copswkuvc dg lc "rc} rgrrgvwc" po ug gpcwgpvrcp dgpvro dg lou rlcpgu dg lc modgrpkdcd ccrkvclkuvc. 11 Por guvc
rc}p, gl rgvorpo vcp fguvglcdo c lc fkiwrc orvodozc dgl Euvcdo lkbgrcl, swg mu swg "roumodgrpo" dgbgrc llcmcrug "wlvrcmodgrpo", cu como lc rgcopuvrwcckp dg lc rolvkcc como rolvkcc
"rwrc" o como rwrc uwrrcguvrwcvwrc dg lc uockgdcd ckvkl bwriwguc ukp "rwkdo" dg pkpip vkro, pk "pcvwrcl" pk "ckwdcdcpo" ,
po rcrgcgp cpwpckcr
vkgmrou dg mgpor bcrbcrkg, ukpo mu bkgp
12
dg lo copvrcrko.
Ep gfgcvo, gl mvodo gcopmkco dg lc ccwmwlcckp dgl ccrkvcl
swg, gp rrkpckrko o "formclmgpvg", copvkgrvg c vodc lc rkswg}c
11
Ipclwuo gp lcu fcpvcucu swg gllc ug rgrmkvg, como lc dg Kcpv, lc "rc} rgrrgvwc" rgswgrkrc wp rgvorpo kdlkco c lc kpocgpckc cpkmcl, rrgvkc c lc crcrkckp dg lc
lkbgrvcd { uw "mcldcd rcdkccl". Como l dkcg: "Todo lo swg rgrvgpgcg c lc pcvwrclg}c gu bwgpo; lo swg rgrvgpgcg c lc lkbgrvcd gu mu mclo swg bwgpo". (Rgfl. Mor.,
zkz, r. 192.)
12 Sk gl Euvcdo cwvorkvcrko gu gl swg glgrcg lc vkolgpckc dguvrwcvkvc, uvc gu gloikcdc ukp rgugrvcu ror gl dkucwruo pgolkbgrcl. Sg vrcvcrc, rcrc l, dg wpc vkolgpckc
dkclcvkcc; como uk lc uockgdcd po rwdkgrc mu swg gpvrgicr c lc dguircckc { lc
mwgrvg c wpc rcrvg dg u mkumc cop gl fkp dg rguccvcr dg lc crkuku { lc bcrbcrkg cl
rguvo, { icrcpvk}crlg lc cbwpdcpckc { lc ckvklk}cckp. Cwcpdo uw gloiko gu rcukvo,
gl dkucwruo pgolkbgrcl gu ukmrlgmgpvg wp dkucwruo cpkco; cwcpdo lo jccg dg mcpgrc mklkvcpvg ug vwglvg wp dkucwruo kpcopfwpdkblgmgpvg fcuckuvc. Lc vkolgpckc
dkclcvkcc dg swkgpgu rgukuvgp vkolgpvcmgpvg c lc vkolgpckc dguvrwcvkvc mgrgcg gp
ccmbko wpc dgucclkfkccckp kpmgdkcvc ror rcrvg dgl dkucwruo pgolkbgrcl: como uk
fwgrc gllc lc vkolgpckc dguvrwcvkvc.

382

BOLVAR ECHEVERRA

rrodwckdc, swg gu gzcgdgpvg gp gl rlcpo dgl vclor dg wuo, gp wpc

mcipkvwd kpuwfkckgpvg gp vrmkpou dg vclor, gu dgckr, guccuc, cfgcvcdc ror wp fclvcpvg swg gu pgcgucrko cwbrkr, gu wp mvodo swg jc
vgrmkpcdo ror copvgrvkrug gp wpc crgcckp "rgcl" { {c po ulo
"formcl": gp wp dkuroukvkvo kpcorrorcdo c lc guvrwcvwrc vcpkcc
dgl ukuvgmc dg rrodwcckp/copuwmo, kpjgrgpvg c gllc. El ccmro
kpuvrwmgpvcl swg rgpg cl coplwpvo dg lou mgdkou dg rrodwcckp
gp guvc lvkmc rocc dg lc modgrpkdcd ccrkvclkuvc jc dgucrrollcdo vcl ircdo dg cdkcckp c lc guccug} cbuolwvc crvkfkckcl, swg guv c
rwpvo dg copvgrvkr cl Hombrg gp wp cpkmcl dg vorcckdcd ukp lmkvgu, krrgmgdkcblgmgpvg kpucvkufgcjo g kpucckcblg, { ror lo vcpvo
c lc Ncvwrclg}c gp wp rgugrvorko copuvkvwvkvcmgpvg guccuo; gp wpc
ukmrlg mcuc dg "rgcwruou po rgpovcblgu". Ckgrvou guswgmcu dg
copuwmo cbuwrdcmgpvg gzclw{gpvgu g kpuwuvgpvcblgu, rrorkou vcp
ulo dg wpc modgrpkdcd dg bcugu ccrkvclkuvcu, cmgpc}cp cop rgrdgr uw ccrcvgr crvkfkckcl, { ror vcpvo rrguckpdkblg rcrc lc guvrwcvwrc vcpkcc dgl ccmro kpuvrwmgpvcl, { cdswkrkr wpo "pcvwrcl" g kpdkurgpucblg. Sop guswgmcu dg copuwmo "dg cvcp}cdc" dg
"rrkmgr mwpdo" cw{c ucvkufccckp ropg gp rglkiro lcu roukbklkdcdgu dg rgrrodwcckp dgl rguvo dgl ipgro jwmcpo swg po vkgpg
cccguo c gllou.
Apvg guvc pgcgukdcd, swg ug jc vwglvo rgcl rcrc gl coplwpvo dg
lc uockgdcd, lc dg glgikr gpvrg lc uwuvkvwckp dg guou guswgmcu,
ror wp lcdo, { gl uccrkfkcko dgl bkgpguvcr mc{orkvcrko, ror ovro, {
vgpkgpdo gp cwgpvc lc vgpdgpckc kpjgrgpvg c lc gpvkdcd guvcvcl cwvorkvcrkc o pgolkbgrcl, rcrgcg ockouc lc rrgiwpvc ccgrcc dg lc dkrgcckp gp swg ug glgrcgr gl moporolko dg lc vkolgpckc gp guvc vwglvc
dg ukilo { dg mklgpko.