We now have 44 subscribers.
21 subscribers wrote 163 posts in November, which began with
OPE-L #3576.
I. TOPICS DISCUSSED THIS MONTH
===========================
A. The threads discussed at *greatest* length (over 20 posts) were:
o EVIDENCE FOR THE 'SINGLE-SYSTEM' INTERPRETATION [began on 10/31
with Andrew K's #3573 and Allin's #3575 and subsequent posts by
Alejandro R; related to previous discussions on the
transformation, etc.; includes "constant capital and variable
capital"; "cost-price and value"; "value contained in cost-price";
"equality of cost-prices"; "Vol 3, Chs 11 & 12": "two causes of
'deviation'?"; "value and production price in VIII, Part 1 &
2"; "transFORMation"; "hairsplitting"; "vampires"; "only one
composition of capital"; "average commodities", etc.] (-66- posts];
o LABOR THEORY OF VALUE - NOT USED BY MARX! (-22- posts).
B. Other threads that we discussed included:
o OPERATIONALIZATION OF MARXIAN THEORY [arose out of the "monetary
expression of value" thread] (10);
o LAIBMAN ON THE OUTPUT RATIO AND THE OCC (9);
o MARXIAN EMPIRICAL RESEARCH TOPICS [continued from October] (6);
o 'SURFACE/DEEP STRUCTURE' OR MARX AND PLATO [arose out of
"evidence..." thread; see Alejandro R's #3604[ (5);
o DIALOGUE ON HEGEL AND ALTHUSSER [arose out of the LTV thread] (5);
o QUANTITY OF MONEY IN CIRCULATION (5);
o MONETARY EXPRESSION OF VALUE [related to TSS, MEV, and FRP
discussions] (4);
o CLASS STRUGGLE AT THE POINT OF PRODUCTION [related to v=0
assumption and repression costs discussions from previous months]
(4);
o THE WHATEVER HAPPENED TO [...] QUIZ [Questions concerned Georgios
Stamatis and Michel Aglietta. Answers appear in Stavros's #3654 and
Chai-on's #3663] (4);
o HIC RHODUS, HIC SALTA! [related to Fred's #3680 and Ch. 5
discussion from the Spring; includes "Ne Hic Saltaveris!"];
o TECHNICAL CHANGE AND LOW RATES OF PROFIT [begun in October; related
to Okishio Theorem & FRP discussions];
o IT'S A GIVEN [concerns Fred's interpretation; see his #3715].
II. PROCEDURAL DISCUSSIONS
======================
There was a continuation of the discussion on the list policy
concerning the archives. See Andrew K's #3572, Allin's #3574,
Riccardo's #3576, and Alan's #3584.
===========================
OVERALL, November was a *relatively slow* month. Volume dropped from 380
posts in October where there was participation by 23 of 43 subscribers.
Volume was even significantly below what it had been a year ago in November,
1995 when there were 224 posts and participation by 24 of 34 members.
Reasons for the decline in volume probably include work schedules and
preparation for the "Rethinking Marxism" conference to be held in Amherst
in early December which many listmembers are planning to attend. If there
are other factors that account for the decrease in volume, then I would
appreciate it if listmembers explained what they are.
Despite the above, we had *extensive and productive exchanges* on at
least two threads (the "evidence" and LTV threads) and a number of
listmembers who hadn't participated in recent months returned to the
discussion in November. As we begin December, you should be aware of two
upcoming events which will affect list activities: the RM conference next
weekend and vacations for the holidays near the end of the month. Bearing
the above in mind, it would be a good idea if anyone wants to raise new
topics for discussion to do so in the *early* part of December.
In Solidarity,
Jerry