Answers to correspondents. (1925)

Letter to the Editors from the March 1925 issue of the Socialist Standard

Marxengelian (Hackney) asks: °Does the Army and Navy add any value to the wealth produced under the system where they are socially necessary?”

Answer: No. The Army and Navy are maintained out of the surplus value taken from the producers. The Army and Navy are necessary to the ruling class to maintain their domination. The armed forces are not required in the production of exchange values. Value is created in the production and socially necessary transportation of wealth. In this sphere the armed forces do not function.

Ed. Com.