Reading Marx’s Capital

Marx’s Capital TOC

[translate in english and expand on “η υπεραξία και το κερδος δεν απλα οικονομικο-φιλοσοφικες εννοιες’ εχουν και μαθηματικη σχεση μεταξυ τους…. κερδος = υπεραξία / μεταβλητο κεφαλαιο(μισθοι που αγοραζουν δημιουργουσα αξια αρα και υπεραξια ζωντανη εργατικη ικανοτητα ή δυναμη) και σταθερο κεφαλαιο (αντικειμενοποιημενη/νεκρη εργασια)”
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The term “η υπεραξία και το κέρδος δεν απλά είναι οικονομικο-φιλοσοφικές έννοιες” translates to “surplus value and profit are not just economic-philosophical concepts.”

The statement goes on to establish a mathematical relationship between these concepts: “κέρδος = υπεραξία / μεταβλητό κεφάλαιο (μισθοί που αγοράζουν δημιουργούν δημιουργική αξία, άρα και υπεραξία, ζωντανή εργατική ικανότητα ή δύναμη) και σταθερό κεφάλαιο (αντικειμενοποιημένη/νεκρή εργασία).”

In English, this can be expanded as follows:

“The concepts of surplus value and profit extend beyond mere economic and philosophical notions. They can be understood through a mathematical relationship: profit equals surplus value divided by variable capital (wages that purchase productive labor, hence generating surplus value from living labor power or capability), and constant capital (objectified/dead labor).”

This statement highlights the interconnectedness of economic and philosophical ideas with mathematical formulations, emphasizing the intricate relationship between labor, value creation, and profitability. It underscores the importance of recognizing the mathematical underpinnings of economic concepts for a more comprehensive understanding of their implications.]

[translate in english and write an essay in english for “στον 1ο τομο του Κεφαλαιου αντικειμενο ειναι η παραγωγη υπεραξιας . στο 2ο τομο ειναι η πραγματοποίση της υπεραξίας στην κυκλοφορια (των εμπορευματων). στον 3ο τομο ειναι η κατανομη της υπεραξίας: σε (βιομηχανικο/εμπορικο) κερδος, σε τοκο (επι καποιου κεφαλαιου: παραγωγικου (profit of enterprise) η/και χρηματικου: interest), σε γαιοπροσοδο (rent) ….πριν απο αυτο βρισκεται η μετατροπη της υπεραξίας σε κερδος και των αξιων σε τιμες παραγωγης (prices of production): μεσω αυτης της μετατροπης κρυβεται η εκμεταλλευτικη σχεση, γιατι ετσι το κερδος φαινεται να προκύπτει τοσο απο το μεταβλητο οσο και απο το σταθερο κεφαλαιο, κατι που παιρνει την πιο μυστικοποιμενη μορφη της υπεραξίας στον τοκο (interest: Χρήμα-Χρήμα’ με Χ’>Χ) (οπου η διαμεσολαβηση απο την παραγωγικη εργασια [Εργατικη δύναμη/Μεσα παραγωγης / Εμπορευματων (Χ-Ε-Χ’)] στη διαδικασια αξιοποιησης του κεφαλαιου εχει χαθει)”
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Title: Marx’s Analysis of Surplus Value and Capital Circulation

In the first volume of “Capital,” Karl Marx delves into the fundamental concept of surplus value production. He meticulously dissects the process through which capital accumulates, revealing the intricate dynamics underlying capitalist economies. Moving forward to the second volume, Marx shifts his focus towards the realization of surplus value within the sphere of circulation, predominantly within the realm of commodities.

The third volume marks a crucial juncture in Marx’s exploration, as it centers on the distribution of surplus value. This distribution occurs across various channels, including industrial and commercial profits, interest on capital (both productive, categorized as profit of enterprise, and monetary, recognized as interest), and land rent. These distinct avenues elucidate the multifaceted nature of surplus value’s dispersion within the capitalist system.

Preceding this comprehensive analysis is the transformation of surplus value into profit and the conversion of values into production prices. Concealed within this transformation lies the exploitative relationship inherent in capitalist production. This transformation is pivotal in understanding the obscured form of surplus value, particularly in relation to interest.

Interest, represented as (Χ-Χ’ with Χ’>Χ), encapsulates a critical aspect of this process. It signifies a departure from the direct involvement of productive labor (Labor Power / Means of Production / Commodities) in the capital utilization process. This shift highlights the evolution from a labor-centric production model to a more financially driven system.

Marx’s exposition on these intricate stages provides a profound insight into the inner workings of capitalist economies. The transformation of surplus value into profit, and subsequently into interest, exemplifies the nuanced dynamics of exploitation within this economic framework. By unraveling these layers, Marx sheds light on the mechanisms that perpetuate the accumulation of capital and the perpetuation of class-based disparities.

In conclusion, Marx’s trilogy of “Capital” offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the generation, realization, and distribution of surplus value within capitalist economies. The conversion of surplus value into profit and production prices unveils the veiled dimensions of exploitation, with interest serving as a critical intermediary. Through this meticulous analysis, Marx provides invaluable insights into the functioning of capitalist systems, contributing significantly to economic and philosophical discourse.]

Artwork: The Misers, by Q. Matsys
1858
Caldesi & Montecchi (British, active 1850s)

Photograph of “The Misers,” a painting by a follower of Marinus van Reymerswaele, but had at times been attributed to Quinten Metsys. The painting depicts two men, one of whom is pointing at a ledger in which his colleague is writing. Their wealth is represented by their rich clothing, as well as through the gold coins and jewelry on the table in front of them. (The Misers, by Q. Matsys (Getty Museum))

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