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In Marx's description of the simple form, or form A, 20 yards of linen
equaled 1 coat, 10 lb of tea, 40 lb of coffee, etc. This is the first
form of the commodity but it quickly changes into B, the expanded form
because in the Marx's account, the linen weaver has need for more than
just linen or coats to live. In the expanded form, one must realize
that the linen, which is now the expanded form, can be replaced by any
other commodity, so long as it will serve as the same function that
the linen does. The third transition, form C or the universal
equivalent form, comes about when the linen serves as the measure of
all other commodities. Once linen as taken the form of the universal
equivalent, all other commodities are now excluded from becoming the
universal equivalent. This new universal equivalent form will of
course have to be socially accepted. this one specific commodity must
have gained “objective fixity and general social validity” (p-54).
The only difference in form C and form D, the money form, is that now,
another commodity, has been substituted as the universal equivalent
form of the commodities. This is gold in Marx's example. Gold is now
a “specifically predetermined commodity” (p55). Once gold
distinguishes itself as the supreme commodity, having the greatest
value expression of all other commodities, it is now considered the
money commodity. Because gold has this “right” it now becomes the
measure value of all other commodities. Marx's theory of the money
form is true even today, it only differs in that the universal
equivalent form is no longer a commodity, but an abstract unit of a
value measure, the dollar. |
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