Date: Wed, 28 Jun 1995 04:25:26 +1000
From: P8475423-AT-vmsuser.acsu.unsw.EDU.AU
Subject: Sraffa 101 - repost of original Sraffa summary


This is an excerpted summary of a debate on Sraffa's
critique of economic theory for the benefit of non-economists
on the Marxism list. Sraffa's model was initially intended
to critique neoclassical economics over its theories of
production, price and distribution. The model was later used
by Steedman to critique Marxian quantitative value theory.
What follows is the initial post that sparked the debate,
my attempt to summarise Sraffa, then some subsequent posts
generated. The debate occurred earl
y in 1995.

One thing which is missing from this is the set of
assumptions which Steedman explicitly made in his critique,
which was excellently summarised by Justin (from memory) in
late June 1995.

-------

Value: There are references to Sraffa, and suggestions from
Jerry Levy that the debate is not being taken much further.

Some people I suspect are not coming in, because they feel
this was all explored in the first four months of this list's
life, July, August, Sept, Oct 1994.

Yes an
d no. I have skimmed the archives for "Sraffa" and it is
much thinner than people might suppose. Perhaps some of the
debate has been had on other lists, but I think it is in the
nature of these e-mail forums that they are living cultures,
they have to create and re-create a shared understanding each
week. It appears to be said this week that Sraffa's critique
was accepted as a substantial critique some time ago, and
therefore should be accepted as a substantial critique now.

But this may be inad
equate and does not fit in with our project
at its best, of listing the strengths and weaknesses of each
model of capitalism.