Border politics is often understood to be the set of beliefs, laws, policies, and practices that govern how borders are created, managed, defended, and protected. It encompasses everything from physical fences and walls to electronic surveillance systems to immigration quotas and visa restrictions. Border politics are shaped by numerous factors such as geography, economics, culture, history, and religion. They also shape many aspects of life for those who live near or beyond them, including identity, security, mobility, and access to resources. In recent years, however, scholars have begun to explore how border politics affect erotic fantasies. Specifically, they have examined how ideas about belonging and exclusion translate into eroticized projections that involve imagining and desiring the "outside" of the border. This process can be seen as a form of sexualization that privileges certain types of bodies and identities while denigrating others.
The concept of borders has been used throughout history to define social, cultural, and political divisions between groups of people. Borders may be physical barriers that separate one nation from another, but they can also exist within countries and communities.
Borders may divide cities into different neighborhoods or districts based on ethnicity, class, religion, or other criteria. The construction of these boundaries creates power dynamics that privilege some over others and reinforce social hierarchies. This process can be seen in the way that borders are constructed through language, law, policy, and practice.
When discussing borders and their impact on erotic fantasies, it is important to consider the role of sexuality. As historian Laura Briggs argues, the construction of gendered borders has played an essential role in shaping sexual attraction and desire across cultures. She notes that the sexual objectification of women has historically been used to justify imperialism and colonialism. In turn, this has led to the creation of stereotypes about what constitutes masculinity and femininity in various contexts, which has had a profound impact on how individuals interact with each other sexually.
The legal and social status of LGBTQ+ individuals has often been determined by where they live, which has further impacted how they experience intimacy and sexuality.
Another factor to consider is how border politics shape ideas about who belongs and who does not belong within a given community or society. These beliefs inform how individuals view themselves and others as well as how they interact with them.
The idea of being "in" or "out" of a particular group can influence how people approach intimacy and relationships. It can also lead to feelings of anxiety or shame if one feels excluded from a certain group or community.
The intersection between political ideology and sexuality is particularly evident in the realm of pornography. Many pornographic films depict characters crossing borders to access sex acts that would be illegal or taboo at home. This imagined world, however, may reflect real-world concerns about power dynamics and marginalized identities.
Some scholars have argued that border crossings are used in porn to reinforce white supremacist views of black men as aggressive and hypersexualized, while Asian women are presented as submissive and passive objects for male pleasure. Similarly, Latina women may be fetishized as erotic objects due to their proximity to Latin American culture or because of stereotypes surrounding race, class, and gender.
It is clear that border politics play an important role in shaping our understanding of sexuality and desire. They create social hierarchies that privilege some bodies over others, which often leads to oppression and violence.
These same divisions can also create fantasies about what is forbidden and desirable, leading to complex interactions between power, identity, and sexuality. By understanding this process, we can begin to challenge the status quo and create more inclusive spaces for all individuals.
How do border politics shape erotic fantasies of the “outsider,” and why do political ideas of belonging and exclusion transform into eroticized projections?
Erotic fantasies are often shaped by cultural norms and beliefs that govern what is considered acceptable or desirable in sexual behavior. Border politics play a significant role in determining how individuals perceive themselves and others, which can lead to the creation of eroticized projections based on these perceptions.