Surplus value

In the Marxian labor theory of value Added value refers to the part of the value amount of the wage worker produces through his work and goes beyond the replacement of the value of his labor power and means of production used, so specific to capitalism form of surplus product.

The word surplus value ( surplus-value ) used already in 1824 William Thompson, in his study on Inquiry into the Principles of the Distribution of Wealth Most Conducive to Human Happiness. As Engels and Kautsky demonstrate against Anton Menger, Thompson called by that term the additional profit that achieves a machine incipient capitalist compared to a craftsman. In addition, Thompson also speaks of additional value (additional value), by which he means the total creation of value or replacement value (m v). Marx also used the term itself already in his article on the timber theft law, but there in the sense of compensation received by the forest owner.

Added value as a term of Political Economy by Karl Marx

Karl Marx wrote in Capital: "But we already know that the working process continues beyond the point where a mere equivalent for the value of labor power is reproduced and would be added to the work item instead of the 6 hours that meet this purpose, endures the process z. . B. 12 hours.

By the operation of the labor force that is not only their own value, excess value is reproduced, but produced. This added value is the excess of the value of products over the value of the consumed product former, ie the means of production and labor-power. "

Both together, the value of labor power and the "excess" value, the added value is the new value, and value product, or, as it is expressed today, the creation of value.

New value = value of labor power Value

Marx distinguishes then

• Absolute surplus value from
• Relative surplus value

The ratio of surplus value to variable capital is the rate of surplus value.

Capitalism, in contrast to previous modes of production

In pre-capitalist class societies, the rulers are just some of the work by force (for example, as forced labor ).

The added value is, according to Marx, the specifically capitalist form of surplus product. By the theory of surplus value Marx explains how capitalism exploitation is possible, although the wage-worker as a formally free subjects when they sell their labor power as a commodity, according to the law of value, the equivalent of getting what is worth their merchandise.

The capital formula

Marx analyzed the capitalist market relations in two formulas: The exchange process commodity-money - commodity ( WGW ) refers to the exchange of goods of equal value and different use value; Money takes on a facilitating role.

When money becomes capital, the circulation of money changes qualitatively: money-commodity - more money (GW - G '). Thus, this formula is economically viable for the capitalist, it depends on the G ', ie on the enlargement of the original sum of money ( " value-added ").

G ' - which includes the so-called value added - is a new G again the starting point of the formula, the cycle begins again; therefore, this formula is intended to an endless helical motion. The key here is solely the augmentation of value, use value is here only prerequisite merchantability.

Double free wage laborers

According to Marx, the capital increase can not be explained from the sphere of commodity circulation: For example, if the capitalist could raise as a seller a price premium, he would have him as a buyer with " GW " lose again. So the value of magnification must arise from the use of the purchased goods: It is caused by buying and productive use of human labor. This money is used to command resources through human labor in the hands of the capitalist, the presence of a propertyless class is assumed that has no means to provide even for their livelihood - that also has no other food than their own labor power for sale The " doubly free wage laborers " ( Marx). Double- free in the sense that the wage workers in contrast to slaves or serfs free is his labor power to sell, to whom he wants, but also " free" of ownership of means of production, so that it is but then again forced - it's just different as a slave and serf - his labor power to sell.

Arithmetical

Mathematically, the value added is then the difference between the value of advance wage labor - the proceeds of their result ( product) - and the wages paid.

Production of surplus value:

In which

Comments

A definite quantity of capital ( means of production, c ) is made workers ( "workers" or proletarians ) to production. You for a reward, but the capitalists have to leave the added value of m, which remains to him from the sale of the commodities produced. So if money is created and return generates, is behind it - according to Marx - ultimately always of value, have created the other with their work force ( although one often hears: the money works ).

To apply Marx's argument is correct, it should be noted that it takes place as usual in the economy under certain model conditions, ie apart depending on the case of concrete conditions and simplifies complex situations in order to study the basic logic, such as when there are fluctuations in the market prices according to supply and demand:

" What is the relationship now between values ​​and market prices or between natural price and market prices? , The market price for all goods of the same type is the same as different may always be the conditions of production for each producer. Market prices press only under the average conditions of production to supply the market with a given mass of a particular item required average amount of social work from. It is calculated from the total of all goods of a certain kind. extent that the market price of a commodity coincides with its value. on the other hand hang the fluctuations in the market soon, soon under the value or natural price on the fluctuations of supply and demand. "

Unproductive labor

Work that creates no added value is unproductive labor, even if this work in capitalism appears as a necessary or is socially useful.

Demarcation from the " value added "

The current term of the value corresponds to Marx's original value. Value added is the difference between the value of all products sold by a company ( production value or turnover ) less of the required inputs and depreciation ( constant capital in Marx ) - calculated for a given year. The input items are products that were needed for the production process and were purchased from other companies. Depreciation, impairment of the machinery and the building of the company, which has taken place during the year.

Occasionally, the value is referred to as "added value", as in the word VAT, which is levied in the company on value creation. This "added value" then includes not only the capital income ( value added in the Marxian sense), but also the income of workers ( variable capital ).