Exchange, Mode of Production and Property

Introduction

• One of the most significant developments of modern times is the emergence of a global economy.

• The global economy impacts work patterns, labour markets, and economic relations across the world.

• It encompasses all major dimensions of the economy, including investment, production, management, markets, labour, information, and technology.

• The primary purpose of any economy is to meet human needs through the optimal utilisation of available resources.

• These human needs are fulfilled through the production and consumption of goods and services.

• The global economy encourages interconnectedness and interdependence among nations, leading to economic integration.

• It also brings opportunities (like access to global markets and technology transfer) and challenges (such as job insecurity, outsourcing, and wage disparities).

• Multinational corporations (MNCs) play a dominant role in the global economy by spreading investment, production, and employment across borders.

• Labour mobility, digital platforms, and global supply chains are key features of the globalised economy.

• Economic policies and reforms in individual countries are increasingly shaped by global financial institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and WTO.

• The global economy has a direct impact on national economies, especially in developing countries, influencing employment patterns, wages, and working conditions.

• In the context of India, participation in the global economy post-1991 liberalisation has led to rapid economic growth, expansion of the service sector, and increase in foreign investment.

Capital

• Capital refers to money or physical items (such as tools, machines, buildings, vehicles) used in the production process.

• It is an asset that enhances the power to perform economically useful work.

• Capital is a crucial input in the production process and is one of the four factors of production (along with land, labour, and entrepreneurship).

• According to Marxian Political Economy, “Capital is the money that is used to buy something only in order to sell it again to realise a profit.”

• According to Adam Smith, “That part of man’s stock which he expects to afford him revenue is called as capital.”

• According to Prof. Alfred Marshall, “Capital consists of all kinds of wealth, other than free gifts of nature, which yield income.”

• According to Prof. Irving Fisher, “Any asset that produces a flow of income over time is termed as capital.”

• According to J.R. Hicks, “Capital consists of all those goods, existing at present time which can be used in anyway, so as to satisfy wants during the subsequent years.”

• Capital is a man-made resource, unlike land which is a natural gift.

• It plays a reproductive role in the economy, helping in the creation of goods and services over time.

• Capital can be classified into:

  • Fixed capital: long-term assets like machinery and buildings

  • Working capital: short-term assets like raw materials and cash

• Human capital, a modern extension of the concept, refers to the knowledge, skills, and abilities of people that contribute to economic output.

• In modern economics, capital is also central to the discussions on investment, growth, and technological development.

Elements of Capital

• Capital has a Monetary Form – All items that are or can be readily converted into money are considered capital. It always possesses monetary value.

• Capital is Man-Made – It is not a natural gift, but produced by human effort. Natural resources like rivers or mountains are not capital.

• Capital is Used for Further Production – Capital is used to produce more goods or services. For example, a television used at home is not capital, but if used for surveillance in a factory, it qualifies as capital.

• Capital has High Mobility – Capital can be easily transferred or converted, such as into cash, tools, machinery, etc. It is more mobile than land, which is immobile.

• Capital Depreciates – The value of capital decreases over time due to wear and tear. For instance, machinery loses value with prolonged usage.

• Capital is a Passive Factor – Capital alone cannot produce anything; it requires labour or other factors to be productive. Labour activates capital.

• Capital is Variable – Unlike land, the supply of capital can be increased or decreased based on savings and investment patterns.

• Capital is Temporary in Nature – Capital must be reproduced or replenished, such as replacing worn-out machines or refilling raw material stocks.

• Capital is the Result of Part Savings – Unconsumed income (savings), when invested, becomes capital. Thus, savings transform into capital.

• Capital is Not an Indispensable Factor of Production – While important, production can occur without capital, unlike land and labour, which are essential.

• Demand for Capital is Indirect – It is not demanded for itself, but for what it helps produce – e.g., wages for labour, or tools and machinery for production.

• Capital can be classified into:

  • Fixed Capital – Used over long periods (e.g., machinery, buildings)

  • Working Capital – Consumed in short-term (e.g., raw materials, cash)

• Capital formation is vital for economic growth, industrialisation, and technological development.

• In macroeconomics, capital accumulation is a key determinant of national income, employment, and standard of living.