Wolff, Robert Paul

Princeton. 1984. Princeton University Press. 1st American Edition. Very Good in Dustjacket. 0691076782. Studies in Moral, Political, and Legal Philosophy - Marshall Cohen, Editor. 236 pages. hardcover. Jacket illustration by Deirdre Sheean. keywords: Communism Karl Marx Philosophy Politics History. FROM THE PUBLISHER - This book explains the development of the classical theory of value from Adam Smith to Karl Marx in a form readily accessible to readers unfamiliar with anything more than high school algebra, while at the same time offering to the specialist a fundamental criticism of Marxian political economy and an original and controversial interpretation of CAPITAL. The author clarifies recent mathematical reinterpretations of classical political economy, so that philosophers, political scientists, psychologists, and sociologists interested in Marx's theories can understand the modern rehabilitation of his political economy. In the past quarter century economists and policy makers have increasingly concerned themselves with questions of economic growth and the distribution of wealth and income. The classical political economy of Smith, Ricardo, and Marx focused directly on these two issues. This book contributes to an understanding of the fundamental insights of Ricardo and Marx that have now become directly relevant to policy debates. ‘This book is a four de force. The author presents the Classical-Marxian theory of value and distribution in a manner completely accessible to those innocent of modern algebra, yet without any sacrifice of content. Moreover, he sets the argument in its philosophical context, thereby adding an important dimension usually missing in economic theorizing.' Edward J. Nell, New School for Social Research. inventory #36007 ISBN: 0691076782.