Maffeo Pantaleoni on labour exchange: bridge between neoclassicism and Fascism

Abstract

This article examines Maffeo Pantaleoni’s views on labour exchange and their transition. Pantaleoni’s theory shared the neo-classicist antinomy that, despite the emphasis on agent subjectivity, disregarded the variability in the content of labour resulting from worker subjectivity towards labour performance and employer countermeasures. Consequently, Pantaleoni espoused the neoclassical principle that takes for granted the market determination of capitalistic labour exchange without socio-political intervention. The transition of Pantaleoni’s outlook on actual labour issues reflected the gulf between his faith in this principle and realities. Thus, Pantaleoni’s perspective on labour exchange functioned as a bridge between neoclassicism and Fascism.