From: glevy-AT-acnet.pratt.edu
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 1996 16:35:06 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: human / social evolution


Jerry:
The chronology can also be developed *backwards* rather than forwards
in  the sense that an evaluation of modern society sheds light on 
pre-capitalist modes of production.
 
Lisa:  How?  Tell us more.
 
Jerry:
An analysis of the present gives us many clues towards the past just as 
an examination of the chicken can tell us something about the dynamics of 
the chicken's evolution (I thought I'd connect the two threads).

For instance, one can make nore meaningful statements in many cases about 
capitalism by examining that subject in its "pure" form rather than 
beginning with a historical analysis of merchants capital. I believe that 
Marx talks about this in the "Introduction" to the _Grundrisse_, which I 
believe you have a copy of.


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