Can erotic capital subvert masculine economy? aesthetic work and the post-feminist approach to economics

Abstract

The aim of this article is to elucidate whether and how the theory of erotic capital may function as a feminist tool to subvert the hierarchies and relations in current economy in favour of the empowerment and liberation of women. Thus, by analyzing the ways in which white, liberal feminism directly constructs its claims and petitions through the absorption of liberal epistemological dogmas, we intend to search the direct relation between the ideology developed by white, cisgender feminists and liberal economics and politics. This article demonstrates how a theory of erotic capital does not lead to a feminist subversion of econo-my, but reinforces the liberal economic and political system that relies on a masculine and androcentric epistemology. The subjectivity that women can achieve through the exploita-tion of erotic capital is only as consumers and not as productive agents.