Some Questions

1. What is meant by a dialectical process? In what manner is the historical

process of the change from one social formation to another dialectical?

2. What is the initial impetus to the change in the relations of production? Why

does the process of this change tend to be abrupt and marked by social strife?

3. What is the relation between the economic and non-economic aspects of a

social formation? Can a change in the superstructure also generate strife in

society?

4. “The inherent logic of feudalism led to its decline.” Discuss the statement in

the light of the changes in medieval Europe.

5. What is the role of long distance trade and other exogenous factors in the

process of the dissolution of feudalism? Discuss.

6. “The role of primitive accumulation in the rise of capitalism has not been

given due importance.” Explain this view and the conclusions so arrived.

7. Define the value of a commodity and of labour power to explain the origin of

surplus value. How do the Ricardian and the Marxian theories explain the

continued generation of surplus value with accumulation and labour

shortage?

8. In what manner is the C-M-C circuit different from the M-C-M circuit? How

does the C-M-C circuit create the possibility of a crisis, yet not its actual

occurrence? Discuss the views of Ricardo and Marx.

9. Explain the two differing theories of economic crisis. Why are they referred to

as the possibility and necessity theories? What possible role can the state play

to alleviate the crisis in the two cases?