absolute general law of capitalist accumulation

[Charles Brown <cbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In Hegelian jargon "absolute" is contrasted with "relative". Perhaps Marx
sharply stresses the bad sides of capitalist production as its absolute
aspect," but with equal emphasis clearly proves that this
social form was necessary to develop the productive forces of society, "
etc. , as the relative aspect. The impoverishment is the absolute and the
progressive aspect is relative.

CB

^^^^^^^^

Reviews of Capital by Frederick Engels 1867

Review of Volume One of Capital for the Demokratisches Wochenblatt
March 1868

Excerpt

These, strictly scientifically-proved--and the official economists are
taking great care not to make even an attempt at a refutation--are some of
the chief laws of the modern, capitalist, social system. But does this tell
the whole story? By no means. Marx sharply stresses the bad sides of
capitalist production but with equal emphasis clearly proves that this
social form was necessary to develop the productive forces of society to a
level which will make possible an equal development worthy of human beings
for all members of society. All earlier forms of society were too poor for
this. Capitalist production is the first to create the wealth and the
productive forces necessary for this, but at the same time it also creates