Review Article : Class and Exploitation: Description and Ethics. Notes on John Roemer's A General Theory of Exploitation and Class

Abstract

John Roemer's book A General Theory of Exploitation and Class is a novel and controversial contribution to the Marxian theory of exploitation and class. In this paper I give a synopsis of the conclusions obtained by Roemer. I discuss the methodological status of his framework focusing on his use of assumptions and of general equilibrium models, and I discuss the extent to which his framework may be useful in empirical research on class.