Chengxiang Zhang, Chenyang Liu

(School of Marxism, East China Normal University)

Abstract：

Marxist reproduction theory is the essence and important heritage of Marxism, which has far-reaching and lasting significance for guiding us to control capital, prevent disorderly expansion of capital and carry out economic construction. It has a specific theoretical background and a complex evolutionary process. Marx critically transformed Quesnay's economic table, absorbed its rational elements, abandoned his agrarian stance, and criticized the teachings of Esotericism. He proposed two types of capital, namely constant capital and variable capital, as well as two major categories of means of production and consumption. He distinguished between the expansion of reproduction in terms of connotation and extension, and constructed a scientific theory of reproduction. The Marxist theory of reproduction not only refers to the reproduction of means of production and labor force, but also includes the reproduction of production relations. Engels is an important interpreter and developer of Marxist theory of reproduction. Lenin and Mao Zedong inherited and developed Marxist theory of reproduction, promoted economic recovery and development, and provided ideological weapons for revolutionary struggle. Luxembourg attempted to revise the Marxist theory of reproduction by adding non capitalist markets to the Marxist theory of reproduction, opening up a precedent for reflecting on and transforming Marxist theory of reproduction, but there was also some misunderstanding. Systematically studying the initial context and logical evolution of Marxist reproduction theory, clarifying the origin and development of Marxist reproduction theory, is beneficial for us to deeply grasp the secrets of capital accumulation, circulation, and regeneration, and resist distortions and misinterpretations of Marxist reproduction theory.

Key Words：

reproduction; production relations; two major categories; capital