Re: [OPE-L] Market Socialism's problems

From: Howard Engelskirchen (howarde@TWCNY.RR.COM)
Date: Tue Apr 24 2007 - 00:16:54 EDT


Point 2 is problematic also.  Theory as well as the experience of the
countries of the East during the 20th century showed that it is perfectly
possible to juridically abolish private property without transforming the
material basis of private autonomy that is the ultimate source of the
associated workers' inability to take social production under their common
control.  No doubt actually accomplishing that transformation will take a
relatively long time, so it is not a matter of doing away with markets
tomorrow but of the horizon one sets sail for.

On point 3, the ethics of freedom to choose, like any other ethics, is
rooted in a material foundation.  What is the material foundation to which
appeal is made here?

Actually something of the same thing could be said for point 1.  If
subjective theories of value have the same material source as private
property, then perhaps there's a problem.

Comradely,

Howard


----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Cockshott" <wpc@DCS.GLA.AC.UK>
To: <OPE-L@SUS.CSUCHICO.EDU>
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 6:18 PM
Subject: Re: [OPE-L] Market Socialism's problems


Alejandro:
 Yes it is. It comprises the following points accepted by all members:

1) The vindication of some sort of subjective theory of value.
2) Private property of means of production is not a necessary condition for
economic calculation and economic efficiency.
3) An economy encouraging freedom to choose is a necessary condition for
economic calculation and/or an ethical must.
4) In absence of appropriate technology a central planned economy like that
proposed by classical Marxism is impossible and even though the technology
would exist it implies ethical handicaps.
-------------------------
Paul C
I think that Lange by the mid 60s no longer accepted point 4.


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