Socialism, Markets, and the Critique of Money: The Theory of “Labor Notes” (Marx, Engels, and Marxisms)

This book provides a comprehensive overview of historical and international debates on the theory of “labor money” or “labor notes.” These debates exist in a triangular context of market socialism, communism (community-based socialism), and local currency, joining numerous socialists, anarchists, and Marx and Engels. Labor note theory encompasses theoretical, ideological, and practical doctrines aimed at designing a fair and desirable labor-based market or non-market economy by reforming the monetary and credit system. This theory was considered an unfeasible utopian idea in the context of orthodox Marxism, which is typically based on a historical study of surplus value doctrines. However, this book eschews Marx’s critique of “labor money” that limits the debate regarding a concrete alternative society, and instead proposes practical and gradual approaches to social reform by scrutinizing the primary sources of labor money theories and practical experiences and reconstructs their theoretical relationships.

• | Author: Tsuyoshi Yuki
• | Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• | Publication Date: Sep 22, 2022
• | Number of Pages: 294 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback/Political Science
• | ISBN-10: 303080397X
• | ISBN-13: 9783030803971