This question <211|90> overall <87|89> Karly: <683|141>.

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?

[88] Karly: Marx should use chocolate instead of linen.   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 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: It is Bailey, not Marx, who says that a commodity has more than one value. Marx makes fun of Bailey and corrects him: instead of several values there are only several expressions of the same value.

Of course it is a good thing that the weaver can exchange the linen with many different commodities. But Marx says this is not only good for the weaver but through this spontaneous action the weaver also gives a better expression of the value of her linen than if she were to exchange her linen only with one different commodity.

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