From: Diego Guerrero (diego.guerrero@CPS.UCM.ES)
Date: Mon Oct 03 2005 - 16:38:03 EDT
I am referring to the idea that in a certain sense even the overall existence of the state is a faux frais for capitalist production. All taxes are faux frais in a pure model with no State. ----- Original Message ----- From: <glevy@PRATT.EDU> To: <OPE-L@SUS.CSUCHICO.EDU> Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 9:01 PM Subject: Re: [OPE-L] faux frais and the armaments industry > [Paul C wrote:] >> 5) In all cases such record keeping constitutes what marx called the >> unproductive faux frais of the mode of production. > [Diego asked:] >> Would not be armaments also faux frais ot the capitalist mode of >> production? > > Diego: > > Faux frais are understood to be "incidental" costs associated > with capitalist production. > > There is nothing "incidental" about the production of > armaments! In any event, it is worthwhile specifying > whether the armaments are produced by capitalist firms > which then sell their commodity product to the state > or directly by state employees (e.g. by the military itself). > If the latter, it is debateable whether this is "capitalist" or even > "commodity" production. > > This is not to suggest that there are no faux frais > associated with the armaments industry when the > armaments are produced by capitalist firms. E.g. payoffs > to politicians or state employees(to ensure a contract or > to look the other way so as not to enforce state regulations) > or to underworld figures for "protection." Marx considered > insurance costs also to be faux frais, although, the cost to > firms for insurance in some branches of production are no > longer quite so "incidental" as they were in Marx's time! > > In solidarity, Jerry
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