ABSTRACT
This, in a complex modern economy, is as unreal as is Marx’s parallel with Robinson Crusoe. Crusoe (or a patriarchal family unit, another of the parallels used by Marx) can observe directly, and choose between alternatives and their consequences, and there is an immediate link between purpose, action, means and result. Of course Crusoe can make a mistake, such as, for instance, planting a crop in unsuitable soil, but he will see this directly and learn from his experience. All will indeed be simple and ‘transparent’.
