Variation du taux de profit et accroissement de la productivité du travail

Abstract

Changes in the bate of profit and increases in labour productivity A simplified model of growth is presented in order to study the necessary relationships which exist between changes in the rale of profit and the organic composition of capital, in the one hand, and the overall growth process which results from the mutual reaction of the accumulation of surplus value, the distribution of surplus value between constant and variable capital, and labour productivity, on the other. Labour productivity is analysed as a fonction of time and not as a fonction of the organic composition of capital. As a result, there is no strict link between increases in labour productivity and the rate of accumulation. In particular, it is not assumed that an increase in labour productivity requires a previous increase in the organic composition of capital. It appears that the fundamental trend in a capitalist economy is towards a fall in the rate of profit. However, the limit is not zero but a positive figure which, moreover, is approached more and more slowly. But, unless the rate of increase of productivity can be increased indefinitely, it is only in special, and short-lived conditions that the rale of profit can rise.