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[17] Prudon: I can see the point made in the answer in [2005fa:69]. Marx's view that
exchange-relations are characterized by an abstraction from use-value
cannot be reconciled with market supply and demand because exchanges are
based more on consumer preferences than on pure quantitative operations,
the answer holds. I want to discuss this question from a slightly
different perspective. As we know competition is based on who is better
and faster able to satisfy consumers' needs. Thus, we can assume that in
competition one of the main factors is the use-value of the commodity.
If we abstract from use-value, then the “useful characteristics of the
products of labor” disappear, “they (products of labor) no longer differ
from each other”, Marx says. Thus, it should not make any difference
for the consumer which use-value to prefer. In this case, the whole
theory of competition that is built on developing new better products
does not make any sense. In addition, it contradicts Marx's own statement
that as use values, commodities are, above all, of different qualities.
Hence, it would be absurd to abstract from use-value in competition. |
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