[was: More on Transition, Brenner, Allen, Productivity]
On 5/7/07, Louis Proyect <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I would argue that the introduction of the potato into Europe was far more important for the development of capitalism than the size of farms in the British countryside. So was the availability of tea.
I don't see how the introduction of the potato was important to the creation of capitalism. I replace the word "development" as "creation" here, because that's the issue that Brenner wrestles with. Unlike some authors, he does not equate "capitalism" with the combination of class relations with product markets. (Nor did Marx, BTW. Of course, it's partly a futile argument over definitions.) Since as far as I know, tea can't be grown in W. Europe and thus would play no significant role in revolutionizing social relations there. (Perhaps it gave workers extra energy to work, however, like coffee does. Also, global warming might allow tea cultivation in W. Europe.) Please explain. -- Jim Devine / "Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own way and let people talk.) -- Karl, paraphrasing Dante.
