Theory of Production
A Long-Period Analysis

This book contains a comprehensive treatment of the theory of production in a long-period framework.

Heinz D. Kurz (Author), Neri Salvadori (Author)

9780521443258, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 31 March 1995

592 pages, 37 b/w illus. 55 tables
23.6 x 15.9 x 4.1 cm, 1.07 kg

'The Theory of Production is a remarkably clear and precise statement of linear economic theory post-Sraffa. The sound analytical work is complemented by substantial historical notes in most chapters and the work is a pleasure to read.' Ivan Steedman, University of Manchester

This compelling book contains a comprehensive analytical treatment of the theory of production in a long-period framework. Although the authors take a 'Classical' approach to their subject, the scope of investigation and methods employed should interest all economic theorists. Professors Kurz and Salvadori explore economic systems that are characterised by a particular kind of primary input in the production process, such as different kinds of labour and natural resources. These systems and the corresponding prices can be understood to reflect characteristic features of a capitalist market economy in an ideal way: they express the pure logic of the relationship between value and distribution in an economic system. Specific chapters deal with prices and income distribution, economic growth, joint production, fixed capital, scarce natural resources (both renewable and exhaustible), and heterogeneous labour. The historical origins of the concepts used are also discussed in considerable detail.

1. Free competition and long-period positions
2. A one-commodity model
3. Two-commodity models
4. Models with any number of commodities
5. Choice of technique
6. Alternative descriptions of a 'technique'
7. Fixed capital models
8. Joint production
9. Models with jointly utilized machines
10. Land
11. Persistent wage and profit rate differentials
12. On limits to the long-period method
13. Production as a circular flow and the concept of surplus
14. The neoclassical theory of distribution and the problem of 'capital'
15. On some alternative theories of distribution
Mathematical appendix.

Subject Areas: Economic theory & philosophy [KCA]