Re: [OPE-L] basics vs. non-basics and financial services

From: Paul Cockshott (wpc@DCS.GLA.AC.UK)
Date: Mon Oct 03 2005 - 16:03:03 EDT


 
5) In all cases such record keeping constitutes what marx called the

unproductive faux frais of the mode of production.

 

Would not be armaments also faux frais ot the capitalist mode of production? However, arms firms or private security services firms, or firms creating advertisements, etc., are capitalist firms that exploit their workers and extract their surplus value.
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I believe this idea to be a mistake. One can demonstrate from the
reproduction schemes in volume 2 that surplus value can only be
generated in the departments generating means of production or
workers consumption goods. The mass of surplus value can not 
be altered by activities in the 3rd sector producting luxuries etc.


This is the same basic point that Sraffa is making about his
basic sector.

I dont have space to demonstrate this right now, but there is
an article by Dave Z and I comming out in Science and Society shortly
where we demonstrate this.

I will try and respond to the other points you make tomorrow.
 


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