I always thought that capitalism developed productive capacities far beyond its ability to use them to satisfy human needs. Hence, starvation at the same time as there is the productive capacity to feed everyone; the need to restrict production in agriculture even in the face of starvation. Ditto with shelter, health care, etc.etc. I thought that socialism , basing production on need not profit was to release these fettered productive forces. The midwife analogy seems quite appropriate. Socialism releases the creative forces within capitalism.
Cheers, Ken Hanly ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Perelman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 7:51 PM Subject: [PEN-L:21446] Re: Re: Sweden > Ian, the midwife relates to the Burnham thesis that someone > mentioned earlier. Marx believed that the institutions of > socialism were forming within capitalism. He believed that the > joint stock companies were such an institution. > > Ian Murray wrote: > > > > > I'm puzzled by the midwife metaphor as it seems to > > assume that what needs to be brought about is > > somehow already existing within what already > > exists; whereas I can't help but see "it" as an > > ongoing work of creativity. If we accept > > indeterminacy and uncertainty in human history > > then what of Joan Robinson's quip of "there is no > > long run equilibrium path" as regards the above > > triad I mentioned. > > > > Ian > > -- > > -- > > Michael Perelman > Economics Department > California State University > Chico, CA 95929 > > Tel. 530-898-5321 > E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >
