Re: [OPE] the composition and definition of the list

When I refer to my membership in OPE-L I use to say that it ‘[…] is a small, closed list of scholars who have been discussing controversial issues on political economy since September, 1995.’   I prefer not to be pigeonholed as Marxist, but as a ‘progressive’ in general.   I would also consider Michael Wiliams as a non-Marxist. I don’t know what does he think, but from our recent discussion I would consider him a sort of Pigouvian economist, with whom I share some views.   Regards,A. Agafonow ________________________________ De: GERALD LEVY <gerald_a_levy@msn.com> Para: Outline on Political Economy mailing list <ope@lists.csuchico.edu> Enviado: viernes, 5 de diciembre, 2008 10:55:34 Asunto: [OPE] the composition and definition of the list > Ja! Ja! Ja! No, not insulted. But it’s true. I’m not a Marxist. I think that I’m not >  the only one in this list that is not a Marxist.     Hi Alejandro:   It's true - you're not the only one.    You should talk to Michael Eldred.   Also - as he likes to frequently remind us - Jurriaan does not consider himself to be a Marxist.   There's also Steve Keen (who isn't receiving postings at this time): he wouldn't consider himself to be a Marxist (he's a heterodox - Post-Keynesian - economist).   Then, there are members like:    - Gil Skillman (who, also, isn't receiving postings now)  who  _does_ consider himself to be a Marxist, but  - like yourself - is a market socialist.   - Gary Mongiovi who _might_ consider himself a Marxian (like Sraffa did) - he is a surplus approach economist.     > By the way, since the main criterion that keeps us together here is Socialism or Post-capitalism, > why this list is defined as Marxist?     Actually, that's _not_ the "main criterion that keeps us together."   The most succinct statement of who we are is given in the archives: http://ricardo.ecn.wfu.edu/~cottrell/ope/archive:   "OPE-L (Outline on Political Economy list) is a small, closed list of Marxists who have been discussing controversial issues on political economy since September, 1995".   So - although we frequently discuss both Marx and socialism - the list is not *defined* by that:  what "keeps us together" is a commitment to discuss - as comrades in a collaborative group - *controversial issues in political economy*.   As for there being a few members who aren't Marxist, I don't think that hurts us.  Rather, that friction can help to stimulate further discussion. Nevertheless, I don't think that there would be support on the list at this time for opening the doors to many other non-Marxists.   In solidarity, Jerry

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Received on Fri Dec 5 05:25:22 2008