EXISTENCE OF THE STANDARD SYSTEM IN THE MULTIPLE-PRODUCTION CASE: A SOLUTION TO THE MANARA PROBLEM

In this paper we show that the Manara problem in the case of Sraffa's generalized multiple-production case arises due to the presence of superfluous processes of production. We argue that 'goods' should be defined from the perspective of the system and not the observer. We provide a mathematical procedure to remove superfluous processes from the construction of Sraffa's Standard system. Once this is done, the Manara problem disappears. Copyright © 2008 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.