My experience in solving a Political Economy problem

As we read a problem, we may be confused when combining the definitions we've learned with the facts in the problem. Let's put it in this simple way:

- The constant capital (C) is the one that the capitalists use to buy the means of production which include the materials, machines, etc ... . It also consists of wear and tear expenditures.

- The variable capital (v) can be considered as the payment the worker receives. It is also the so-called 'the value of labor of each worker per a period'.

- The surplus value (m) is the value the worker creates without being paid. Most problems don't state the surplus value, they only give you the rate of surplus value (m'). From the given facts, you'll have to find the surplus value yourself.

- The total value of products is the summary of the three quantities C , V (= v. n[the number of workers] , M (= m. n). W = C + V + M.

EX: In an enterprise, the total wear and tear expenditure is $ 100000 . The materials expenditure is $ 300000. Find the total variable capital , provided that the total value of products is $ 1000000 and the rate of surplus value is 200%

Here is the way we'll solve this problem :
- The total constant capital is : C = 100000 + 300000 = $ 400000
- The total value of products : W = C + V + M
=> 1000000 = 400000 + V + M
=> V + M = 600000 (1)
- The rate of surplus value is : m' = m/v = 200% => m/v = 2 => M/V = 2 or M = 2V (2)
- From (1) and (2) we have : 3V = 600000 => V = $200000
- So the total variable capital is $ 200000.
He he, so our problem has been solved.



Here is another example: In an enterprise, there are 100 workers. In a month, they produce 12500 units of products. The total constant capital is $ 250000. The value of labor of each worker per month is $ 250. The rate of surplus value is 300%. Find the value of ONE unit of products and state its structure.



Here we go:
- The total variable capital is : V= 250.100 = $ 25000
- The rate of surplus value is : m' = m/v = 300% => The total constant capital is : M = m'.V = 3. 25000 = $ 75000.
- The total value of products is : W = C + V + M = 250000 + 25000 + 75000 = $ 350000
- The value of ONE unit of products: w = c + v + m = 350000/12500 = $ 28 (This is the value of ONE unit of products created by one worker).
- About the structure:
+ the amount of products a worker creates in a month: 12500/100 = 125 (units)
+ the variable capital spent for one worker: v = 250/125 = $ 2
+ the surplus value created by one worker per one unit of poducts: m = 75000/12500 = $ 6
=> the constant capital spent for ONE unit of product: c = w - v - m = 28 - 2 - 6 = $ 20

* In conclusion: + the value of ONE unit of products is $ 28
+ the structure is: c = $ 20, v = $ 2, m = $ 6

Phew, I've just introduced the two examples of Political Economy problems . Hope you'll find them useful.

[These examples come from the exercises the lecture gave us]
Here are the links for the pictures I used in this entry:
http://www.interiorhealth.ca/NR/rdonlyres/F7F71A9E-0455-4498-B256-F46458F92DEA/5929/manpain.jpg
http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/Public/Editable/Life-Episodes/LS/clsp/images/INGG0509.jpg
http://ocean1025.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/greed-for-money.jpg

Be a good listener ...

As I reached chapter V of our course book, Select Readings (by Jean Bernard & Linda Lee), I discovered this useful skill which seems to be ignored by most people. So I write this entry to share with you about this skill (you'll find the details in chapter V, Listen Up by Madelyn Burley-Allen):

"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak"

- Epictetus [philosopher & teacher] (A.D 55 - 138) -

Most of us misconcept that listening is basically the same as hearing. In fact, listening is a SKILL and has to be learned and trained. Madelyn divides this skill into 3 levels, let's see which level you are at:

+ Level 1: People at level 1 look for an area of interest in the talker's message; they view it as an opportunity to gather new and useful information. They can see things from the other person's point of view and inquire about rather than advocate a position. They use extra thought time to anticipate the talker's next message, to mentally summarize the stated message, evaluate what was said, and to conciously notice nonverbal cues.

+ Level 2: A person at this level is mainly listening to words and the content of what is being said but does not fully understand what the words mean. He focuses on words, but many times, he misses the intent. To sum up, he HEARS what the speaker says but makes little effort to understand the speaker's intent.

+ Level 3: At this level, people stop listening to the speaker, daydream, pretend to liten while thinking about unrelated matters. This influences either the speaker or the listener reponds by walking away angrily or argue.

* The benefits of Level 1 listening is you set in motion a positive, mutually rewarding process by demonstrating interest in the speaker and what he or she is saying. This encourages honesty, mutual respect, understanding, and a feeling of security in the speaker. It also encourages the speaker to feel self-confident, builds his self-esteem and a feeling of being empowered.

* Guideline for effective listening:

- Be attentive

- Be interested in the speaker's needs

- Listen fro a caring attitude

- Act like a mirror

- Don't get personally involved in a problem

- Use verbal cues

[I must admit that I'm really bad at listening to others. Hah hah, maybe I'm not at Level 3 but Level 4 >:) . But after reading this, I'm trying to change it. Hope you think so]

(All the facts and information of this entry come from the book Select Readings)

[Violence]

BELATED INTRODUCTION

The first thing we want to say is our sincere thank for your endless support during the time we create our blog. We know that you have followed our entries for a long time and that you're longing for meeting the authors ^^. We're terribly sorry for this delay. And now we are ready.... Wait for our profiles? Wait no more as ....HERE WE ARE.
__ Do you still remember the main male singer in two songs that we performed in English Gala? Then, we're proud to say that he is our member. MR. NHU ANH , or another name, MR. VIOLENCE. Possesed of a mesmerizing voice, he is also popular in Class 1C for his kindness and willingness to help anyone in need. We rarely end a discussion without argument but that's productive argument since it always provokes new ideas. But most importantly, we know that behind his seemingly tough appearance, there is a warm heart^^. ( a "hot" heart especially for...^^)

__ Coming next is MISS CASHIER , THU NGAN. A sweet girl with ideal height and an angelic face. However, what lies in that amazing girl is a karate expert. Don't believe me? Try infuriating her and see... Don't blame me for not warning you before^^.

__ Studious, humorous, creative, warm-hearted, helpful.... There are thousands of adjectives that we can use to describe the girl I'm gonna talk a bout. However, I like this one : " faithfulness". This is not only her strong point but also her weak one. It's certain that whenever you talk to MISS QUE MINH, you know that you always get the truth out of her. That's why she, "VIET NAM KHONG NHO", gains so many enemies. But that's also why we love her. Really!

__ Last but not least, the going-to-be-mentioned girl is a strange girl, a SHARK. Don't jump to your feet , it's just a nickname. MISS THANH TAM , who prefersto be called SHARK, is extremely famous for her height.^^. Her lifelong desire is to be accepted as a "normal" person^^ as she's crazy at times.

IN BRIEF, THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL STILL SUPPORT US TILL THE END.
LOTS OF KISSES

Giang Dien Chronicle ... 09-03-2008

Last Sunday our class made a journey to Giang Dien fall, a tourist attraction in Dong Nai province (my homeland ). Following is the trip: Waiting for the bus at Bến Thành bus station.

(Ah I almost forgot this: half of our group came from International Relations Department, HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities )

On the bus (haizz there are so many pictures like this so I just post a "representative" one)

Wow, at last, we arrived at the gate . What a long journey [nearly 2 hours]

Our "tour-leader" on the way to the fall >:)

Playing together in a circle.

Waiting while other members were meeting with William Cường :))

At the fall

A picture for Mr Photographer he he

Having lunch

At the bridge

"Smile, ladies"

Conquering the fall

"We are the conquerors"

Let's play

Bye bye Giang Dien

I'M DYING...OF WRITING HIC HIC

I'm bad at writing. That's an established fact. That's why I really looked forward to our writing lessons. But... All my hopes just collapsed. He came over as being a hilarious teacher but that was just camouflage for the "real-him". To be frank, I cannot say that we didn't take in anything, it's unfair to him, but I really wish we had got more ....... Another semester has just come and again another hope.........( Sorry , I put too much dots instead of three ones^^)
Marsupilami