Re David Y's [7l37]: > In this context it is really not serious to argue that Engels was unaware of the importance of the law of the tendency of the rate of profit to fall in Marx's analysis of capitalism. After all they were in constant contact and discussion with each other as Marx developed his position. Yet, even if Engels had a basic idea about what Marx's LTGRPD was about, this doesn't mean that he had reason to believe that, according to Marx, the LTGRPD was the "law of motion". > In addition the method of enquiry and that of presentation are entirely different - even the opposite I remember Marx saying somewhere. So Engels and Marx would have been aware of much of the material for Capital before it was presented in the form that we are aware of. < Well, the drafts for what became V3 were written before Vl was published. So, clearly, the order of writing was different from the order of presentation (in terms of order of writing, it mostly took the following order: drafts for what became VIII, Volume I, drafts for what became VII.) Yet, even though Marx wrote the drafts for VIII before VI, there is little indication that Marx discussed the details of VIII at great length with Engels (although, they did correspond about some VIII issues.) All this is an attempt to briefly summarise my position but I would like to think that those who were seriously interested in these questions would at least look at my writings over the last 20 years or so in Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! - our website has some of the material at http://www.rcgfrfi.easynet.co.uk or www.revolutionarycommunist.com An aside: I remember reading some of your writings (and an article by Paul B on productive and unproductive labor) back in the late 70's and early 80's. Indeed, they made the rounds of New School students back in the days. I recall that Paolo Giussani -- connecting this thread to another -- was quite enthusiastic about your writings and Paul B's. I must admit, though, that it's been a while since I have reviewed those writings. In solidarity, Jerry
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