ABSTRACT
This paper engages in a dialogue between studies rooted in critical feminist economics and those associated with the popular economy to understand how both fields conceptualize work. It analyzes the consequences of these arguments concerning several social theoretical issues: the functioning of capitalism and the mechanisms of labor oppression, the various forms of valorization, and the identification of subaltern positions. Special attention is given to the different ways in which certain jobs remain unrecognized or undervalued within capitalist systems, thereby informing diverse horizons of collective action. The analysis demonstrates that this structural diagnosis is effective in illuminating hidden areas of social reality. Like any critical theory, it also provides pathways to challenge capitalism and propose solutions. However, as noted in the conclusions, a challenge arises because, without associating a political theory of the subject and social change, some proposals tend to result in essentialist or simplistic positions. The research employs a theoretical and comparative methodology, conducting a systematic review of key debates and theoretical frameworks to identify their convergences, divergences, and implications for political action.
