A Primer on Queer Theory for Economists Interested in Social Identities

Queer theory studies the linguistic structures which lie behind socioeconomic inequality as well as the dependence of these structures on markets and other institutions. The methods of this theory and some of its assertions are exhibited. In particular, Foucault's conjectures about the birth of the concept of sexuality and the gender asymmetry in the historical articulation of lesbian and gay identities are described. The goal is to queer the temptation for economists to use ''identities'' uncritically.