======================= HES POSTING ================= Fifth IWGVT Mini-conference on value theory at the EEA, Crowne Plaza Manhattan, New York February 26th -March 1st 1998 NOTE: EEA Convention is one month earlier than usual. Please pay careful attention to deadlines. Call for Papers We invite you to participate in the fifth "New Directions in Value/Price Theory" mini-conference at the Eastern Economic Association conference to be held between February 26th and March 1st 1998 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Manhattan, New York (USA). The conference is organized by the International Working Group on Value Theory. The IWGVT aims to promote pluralistic debate on concepts of value, seeking particularly -- but not exclusively -- to deepen the discussion of value concepts appropriate to dynamic analysis, and to end the unacceptable exclusion of the value theory of Karl Marx from existing debates. The principal justification which economics offers for excluding its foremost critic is the proposition that, whatever the merits of his contribution on individual issues, his concept of value is invalid because it leads to internal inconsistencies. A growing body of independent research shows that this argument is no longer sustainable. We conclude that the discussion on value should re-open without the presupposition of any established standard, tradition or source of authority regarding either value or Marx. The IWGVT defends no particular theory of value beyond arguing that the concept itself is indispensable. It does believe it is possible to assess the merits of contesting theories in debate. It seeks to create an atmosphere for this debate -- which does not at present exist -- such that all value theories, and all readings of value theorists, may discuss on an equal footing, referring in their support neither to the evidence of authority nor the conviction of doctrine but to reasoned and logical discussion based on textual evidence for readings and factual evidence for theories. Four successive conferences have provided a widespread, gratifying and international response to our initial appeal, steadily enlarging not only the number of participants but the breadth and range of the theoretical positions represented, and the quality of the engagement between them. Our major objectives for next year's conference are to foster: (a) inclusive dialog among all bodies of economic theory critical of the conceptual framework of competitive general equilibrium; (b) focussed debates on, or detailed examination of, specific issues from past conferences. To this end we will facilitate conference sessions of two types: standard conference panels, as well as plenary sessions. Because of the size the conference has now reached, some parallelism between the standard panels may be unavoidable. The plenary sessions, however, will not clash with other mini-conference events. Plenaries will focus on issues of that have proven to be of central concern within value theory, such as one or more of the following: *Historical-time Perspectives on Capital Theory *Historical-time Perspectives on Money *Internal (In)Consistency of Marx's Own Value Theory *Labor-time vs. Use-Value as Determinants of Profitability and Economic Growth Individuals interested in participating in one of these potential plenary sessions, or who desire more information about them, should contact the co-organizers as soon as possible. Those interested in discussing other topics are encouraged to propose complete panels; abstracts of individual papers are also acceptable. The co-organizers may be able to assist with the formation of complete panels. Deadlines and instructions to participants To facilitate discussion we aim, as in the past, to ensure the widest possible pre-circulation of conference papers to participants. The success of past EEA mini-conferences has hinged on the engagement of speakers with each others' views and the pre-circulation of materials, neither of which are entirely normal in academic debates; participants should be aware of this departure from traditional practice. To this end we propose the following deadlines: Deadline for abstracts to be considered for presentation: November 1st Speakers in panels to be informed by November 15th Deadline for papers: January 15th The criteria for selection of both papers and panels will be the quality of the proposals and the degree of engagement between participants. As proposals are put to us, we will try to keep them posted electronically (see below), so that would-be presenters can identify the topics emerging as issues of concern to other participants. Distribution of materials from past and future conferences An electronic list has been established to distribute information concerning the IWGVT and its conference activities, which serves also to distribute some of the materials by e-mail, on request. The volume of material is not large. To join, send a message containing the words join econ-value Your Name (the words "Your Name" should be replaced by your actual name), to [log in to unmask] Materials from past EEA mini-conferences may be obtained from this list (instructions will be sent on joining), or on request from the organizers, or may be viewed on the following sites: www.greenwich.ac.uk/~fa03 www.mailbase.ac.uk/lists/econ-value/files As the preparation of the conference advances we hope to keep this periodically updated. How to apply Proposals, informal suggestions, and abstracts should be sent or E-Mailed to Andrew Kliman Dept. of Social Sciences Pace University 861 Bedford Road Pleasantville, NY 10570 USA Tel: 1 (914) 773-3951 [log in to unmask] Membership and Financial appeal Conference papers will be circulated to anyone who registers as an IWGVT member by filling out the form attached to this appeal. If you have already supplied these details you need only fill in your name, so that we know you wish to be in receipt of 1998 materials. The IWGVT is run on a voluntary basis and its costs greatly exceed its income. We have no formal fee but suggest an annual donation of $15 or 10 UK pounds. Larger sums will not, of course, be turned down. Alan Freeman, co-organizer, IWGVT Andrew Kliman, co-organizer, IWGVT (form attached; not reproduced here for space reasons) ============ FOOTER TO HES POSTING ============ For information, send the message "info HES" to [log in to unmask]