Eubulides wrote:
>
> On Feb 13, 2008 11:08 AM, Carrol Cox <cbcox at ilstu.edu> wrote:
> >
> >
> > andie nachgeborenen wrote:
> > >
> > > One political reason I don't like the p/u labor
> > > distinction is that emotionally it seems to line up in
> > > people's minds with p=good, necessary, justified,
> > > would exist under socialism, u= bad, wasteful,
> >
> > So using it politically (regardless of its theoretical validity or
> > invalidity) is as silly as using quantum mechanics to determine the
> > proper oven temperature for a lamb roast.
> >
> > Carrol
>
> =====================
>
> Uh, no. The political/theory divide re validity is *much* more
> problematic than is the case you analogize to habitually.
>
> There's a reason they call it political economy after all................
Yes -- but my point still holds, since I hold that the the theory (from political economy) has no grip on political practice even if valid. Clearly (even assuming the distinction) there is no difference in the class relation _or_ in the economic/social experience of productive and unproductive workers.
Another point -- there is debate over whether or not there _is_ a "Marxist Political Economy" -- as opposed to a "Marxist Critique of Political Economy." I am currently leaning to the latter position.
Carrol