ABSTRACT

It is no longer a question of explaining how it comes about that the price of a commodity yields rent as well as profit, thus apparently (scheinbar) evading the general law of value (Gesetz der Werthe) and by raising its price above its intrinsic surplus value, carrying more than the general rate of profit for a given capital. The question is why, in the process of equalization of commodities at average prices, this particular commodity does not have to pass on to other commodities so much of its intrinsic surplus value that it only yields the average profit (Druchschnittsprofit), but is able to realize a portion of its own surplus value which forms an excess over and above average profit; so that it is possible for a farmer [ ... ] the private ownership of land, mines, water, etc. by certain people, which enables them to snatch, intercept and seize the excess surplus value over above profit (average profit the rate of profit determined by the general rate of profit).