Marx's Explanation of the Relation Between Capital Depreciation and Economic Crisis in Das Kapital

The aim of this paper is to examine the development of Marx's theory of economic crisis in Volume 3 Chapter 15 of Das Kapital. For this purpose, I consider the views of Professor Mitsuru Ohsaka who has developed notable interpretations concerning this issue. Following this, I present my own thoughts. While numerous scholars have repeatedly delved into this issue, their efforts have been concentrated on Sections One and Three of Chapter 15. As opposed to this, Professor Ohsaka has directly focused his research on the neglected descriptions of Section Two to elucidate a system of economic crisis based on the theory of "capital depreciation." In this paper, I examine Professor Ohsaka's understanding of Das Kapital and his theory of "capital depreciation" which is rooted in his interpretations. In his publication entitled A Theory of Reproduction and Competition, Professor Ohsaka outlines his interpretations of Das Kapital and the system of economic crisis as follows. (1) The principal subject of Volume 3 Chapter 15 Section Two of Das Kapital is the theory of "capital depreciation." (2) Section Two of Chapter 15 is of equal importance as Sections One and Three. (3) In Section Two, Marx develops the idea that "economic crisis is generated as a result of the accumulation of the 'potential depreciation' of capital." Having considered each of these three points, I arrive at the following assertions. (1) The principal subject of Volume 3 Chapter 15 Section Two of Das Kapital is not the theory of capital depreciation. (2) The division of the three sections of Chapter 15 is an editorial creation of Engels, and Section Two does not have its own separate subject or theme. As such, the three sections should not be considered separately, but must be viewed as a whole when identifying their central argument. Seen from this perspective, the important themes of Chapter 15 in its entirety consist of the proposition that "the conditions of direct exploitation is not identical with the conditions of its realization," and the theory of "capital surplus." (3) Contrary to Professor Ohsaka's contention, the argument that "economic crisis is generated as a result of the accumulation of the 'potential depreciation' of capital" does not in fact exist in Section Two.5KJ00005058035論文Articledepartmental bulletin pape