[lbo-talk] An Orgy of Speculation?

michael perelman michael.perelman3 at gmail.com
Tue Mar 8 20:15:01 PST 2011


Marx repeatedly noted that new technology destroys capital values so rapidly that no factory covers its production costs (Perelman, 1987, Ch. 4; see Marx to Engels on 14 August 1851, in Marx and Engels, 1982, p. 424; Marx 1967, III, p. 114; and Marx, 1963, p. 65; Marx to Engels, 19 November 1869; in Marx and Engels, 1942, p. 270). He cited Babbage's example that frames for making patent net that sold for 1200 pounds a few years hence, cost only 60 pounds (Marx, 1977, p. 528; Babbage, 1835, p. 286 and 214; see also Baumol and Willig, 1981; and Gaskell, 1833, p. 43: cited in Alberro and Persky, 1981).


> Marx emphasized turnovers of capital more than depreciation of fixed capital
> as a simplification. To him price and market value are secondary in the
> general analysis of value-based profitability.

-- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929

530 898 5321 fax 530 898 5901 http://michaelperelman.wordpress.com



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