From: gerald_a_levy (gerald_a_levy@msn.com)
Date: Fri Nov 08 2002 - 14:29:15 EST
Let me re-phrase the issue I posed in an awkward way in [7970]: 1) suppose that a sub-set of means of production (including commercial software) is sold at market prices in excess of value. 2) clearly, the value transferred to the commodity product can not be altered by the mere fact that the market price is greater than value. So, whatever the price the value transferred is not thereby altered. 3) we can't calculate the extent to which the market price exceeds value unless we know the underlying value. But, how can we know this? 4) does that portion of the price of this sub-set of commodities that is above the underlying value constitute part of the firm's constant capital? How this question is answered is relevant for other questions such as how the rate of surplus value, the rate of profit, and the composition of capital are calculated for individual firms, in individual branches of production, and internationally (see below). 5) How is it then possible to trace the inter-sectoral flow of surplus value among capitalists? To the extent that these commodities are produced and sold internationally, what data and statistical adjustments would be required to "follow the money and surplus value" to see which firms in what countries gain surplus value at the expense of what other firms and to what extent? In solidarity, Jerry
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