Re: query

[Michael Perelman <michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The way I read this entire section, which is my favorite of the whole book, Marx is saying
that the positive function of capitalism is to develop technologies that managed to reduce
labor time, which is a positive contribution using traditional technology.  But capitalism
creates radically new forms of technology that reduce labor time to insignificance.  At
that point, capitalism becomes a barrier to the development of new technology, which
depends upon radically improving the skills of workers.  The form of crude capitalist
control is antithetical to allowing it to work to take advantage of their great abilities.
Presumably, tensions will build up between the capitalist form and the productive
potential, creating pressure for socialism.

what I just wrote is consistent with what Jim said, but as a little detail.



On Tue, Jan 04, 2005 at 08:04:50AM -0800, Devine, James wrote:
> Someone quoted Marx:
>
> >>As soon as labour in the direct form has ceased to be the great
> well-spring of wealth, labour time ceases and must
> cease to be its measure, and hence exchange value must
> cease to be the measure of use value.'<<
>
>
>
> In the context of the Grundrisse, is Marx referring to a tendency that
> actually is realized -- or may someday be realized -- under capitalism?
>
>
>
> It seems to me that there exist counter-tendencies under capitalism that
> would prevent this from happening in practice.
>
> Jim Devine, e-mail: jdevine@xxxxxxx
> web: http://myweb.lmu.edu/jdevine/
>

--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu