This question <58|76> overall <69|71> Hans: <68|71>.

Question 142: Why doesn't Marx say that the simplest value relation is that between commodity and money?

[70] Hans: Is value real?   TheDude [58] gives a very clear answer with his distinction between easy and simple. But then TheDude adds a remark that value is only mental, that it depends on our perceptions and social attitudes.

Value is a social relation, and TheDude is right that social relations live in the perceptions and actions of individuals. But this does not make them any less real. One of Marx's main critiques of capitalism is that capitalist society is driven by social forces which are not under the control of the individuals. Many people starve every day because of value relations. Instead of basketball trading cards it is better to think of private ownership of means of production, of mines and factories. Such private property and value relations are so violent that they must be enforced by police and that they lead to wars.

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