| This question <93|211> overall <197|199> Karly: <197|302>. |
| Question 218: Which characteristics of value are expressed better in the Expanded form of value than in the Simple form, and what are the defects of the Expanded form? |
| [198] Karly: Forms of Value..... The expanded form of value is necessary in that a commodity has more than one value, unlike the simple form of value which can only express the commodity in one commodity of another kind. If we take the example of linen, the simple form of value would only allow linen to be equal to one other commodity. However, we must realize that weavers have multiple needs. Expanded form of value allows for linen to be equal to multiple commodities, therefore meeting all of the weaver's needs. The expanded form of value allows for the producer to compare the value of their commodity with many other commodities. It is a good thing the weaver can exchange linen with many commodities. |
| The main defects of the expanded form of value are it is not unique, simple nor uniform. Commodities are not always equal everywhere at the same time. Another thing to keep in mind is in real life we are only using one use-value at a time, the expanded form of value uses multiple use-values at one time, therefore making it complex. The final defect is the value of the commodities Marx uses are very abstract, and in reality these commodities are qualitatively unequal. |
| Hans: This is just your [88] again, but you did not pay attention to the remarks I made there. When Bailey said that a commodity has more than one value he was facetious, he thought he had demolished the concept of value. Let me also reformulate my second comment there, perhaps my criticism was too subtle: the fact that the linen weaver has many needs is not a better expression of the characteristics of value. It is only the reason why the Simple form of value progresses to the Expanded form. |
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