The Post-Industrial, Post-Modern Theory of Value and Surplus-Value (Deconstructing the Marxist Fetishism of value) | Page 9

is , a collapse via thousands and thousands of minor lacerations of creative-power , finally visible only when the weight of the last straw conclusively breaks capitalism ’ s back and its bewitching spell .
Delving more comprehensively into Marx ’ s rational economic framework , outlined at the start of volume 3 , part 2 of this theoretical exegesis , begins by outlining two giant departments , first described in volume 2 , which can serve as exemplars in explaining what Marx is attempting to do via his economic model . First of all , the objective of this is to show how Marx ’ s economic model functions via a solid practical example so as to explain how his economic model serves to expound a whole host of socioeconomic phenomena that seems chaotic , fluctuating and prone to crisis . The aim of this is to demonstrate how prices of production , constructed around average profit and production-cost , within a sphere of production , serve to describe aspects of a governing law of value . Subsequently , in part 3 of this theoretical exegesis , the objective is to show , via Marx ’ s economic model , that if value is not like Marx suggest solely scientifically quantifiable value ; but is also unquantifiable value , produced by a source far more multi-varied than quantifiable labor-power , namely , creative-power , then , Marx ’ s basic economic model and assumptions , although rational , are nonetheless incomplete . As a result of the influence of creative-power , value , price , wage and profit are determinations forever admixing with each other , they are arbitrary social constructions , increasingly based on conceptual-perception , networks and management . Specifically , they are determinations that are never categorically fixed or stable , but flexible slippery categories subject to loose flexible margins , governed by loose temporary network-structures , that are devoid of outside laws and / or any overarching law of value . As a result , due to the influence of creative-power upon capitalist production , consumption and distribution , value , price , wage and profit are increasingly prone to network-machinations , they are determinations socially constructed through underlying struggles and tug of wars rather than any rational mechanistic calculations based on objective scientifically quantifiable value . The aim , in part 3 of this theoretical exegesis , is to demonstrate that creative-power and unquantifiable general-value have a far greater influence on value , price and profit , than Marx theorized . Due to the fact that a broader understanding of value can explain the many of contemporary post-industrial , post-modern , socio-economic phenomena , which short-circuit Marx ’ s political economic analysis and model outlined in volume 3 .
Notably , Marx ’ s economic model is most comprehensible when outlined through his two great economic departments within capitalist society , introduced at the end of volume 2 , in the sense that this facilitates the understanding of Marx ’ s inherent logical economic calculations , formulas and assumptions . Above all , a department , for Marx , is set of capitalist industries functioning according to similar purposes and objectives , in reproducing the fundamental class relations within capitalist society . In volume 2 , Marx identifies two great departments within the capitalist mode of production , i . e . department 1 , which concerns itself with the production of means of production and , department 2 , which concerns itself with the production of means of consumption . For instance , he states ,
society ’ s total product , and this its total production process , breaks down into two great departments : I . Means of production : commodities that possess a form in which they either have to enter productive consumption , or at least can enter this …[ And ] II . Means of consumption : commodities that possess a form in which they enter the individual consumption of the capitalist and working class . In each of these departments , all the various branches of production belonging to it form a single great branch of production , one of these being that of means of production , the other that of means of consumption … In each department , the capital has two components : ( 1 ) Variable Capital . As far as its value goes , this is equal to the value of the social labor-power applied in this branch of production , i . e . the sum of the wages paid …( 2 ) [ the other is ] Constant Capital . This is the value of all the means of production applied to production in this branch . It breaks down in turn into fixed capital : machines , instruments of labor , buildings , draught animals