Return-Path: <ktlau127@netvigator.com>
Delivered-To: andy@mira.net
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 19:40:13 -0800
From: Lau Kam To <ktlau127@netvigator.com>
To: Andy Blunden <andy@mira.net>
Subject: Re: essence and notion
References: <199712230646.OAA26285@imsp074.netvigator.com>

Andy Blunden wrote:
> 
> Interesting how knowledge develops isn't it?
> A young froend of mine has been saying to me: "Andy, generalised commodity
> production is the Notion of capitalism, OK, but what is the essence of
> capitalism? Some say that the essence of capitalism is production of surplus
> value".
> ============================================================================

Andy,

I think commodity production and surplus-value are not unique to capitalism but only 
became prevalent in capitalism, the defining characteristic or "essence" of capitalism 
is "alienated labour" (to use Young Marx's term), labour selling their labour-power to 
capitalist under the "free" market of supply/demand but actually producing their own 
subsistance (wages) as well as the surplus value for the capitalist who owns the means 
of production. That is unique to capitalism.

Alex