to consider how you can categorize certain sectors in econmic data as being the material base for certain intra-class divisions within the bourgeoisie.

Obviously the below would be improved with better theory and actual data, but an initial idea could be distinguishing sectors like finance from sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, or mining.

The former (finance) may tend to be more cosmopolitan and/or have shared interests of American capital.

The latter may tend to have a more national characteristic. Due to the spatial nature of resource extraction, and the locality of the labor they exploit, their interests may be tied in more naturally with economic conditions "at home".

Then you can include known actors, groups, etc too.

At least thats an idea thay I've been exposed to.

Even if the above is too simplistic I think the idea of looking at particular sectors within economic data, and integrating that with known political groups and networks can be a springboard for answering that question.

Input output tables would have data on such sectoral divisions, but aren't the only answer. International input output tables would then tell you how each sector of capital depends on others on the global level.

Also, you're already working with input output tables (sorry I haven't been responding!) so extending what you've done to the international stage is the next natural direction.

[+] FedPosterman5000@hexbear.net 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

[deleted]

[–] Sebrof@hexbear.net 2 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Do you have any examples of such projects, sounds like you have some interesting stories (but obviously no pressure if it could dox you)

Yeah, I'm not certain who actually funds engineering firms or what their connections are - but first hand experience of people in the field, plus some real data would definitely help get an idea about that.

The conquest of small firms and the consolidation is part of capitalist development, though, it's the tendencies of capital concentration. These large dominating firms doing planning actually plants the seeds for socialism, though, even though they are currently private. That's an example of how labor is already being socialized under capitalism by huge monopolies, but it's organization or control, though, isn't socialized. (Growing contradiction between the socialization of labor and the private class ownership of it).

It is upsetting though when you can see the infrastructure for public engineering works being built - just to have it appropriated and used for private gain. I have definitely seen that contradiction play out at my own job! But, hey, that's why we need a revolution. The means of production are already being built and increasingly socialized already, but now they must be seized!

But I don't have much concretely to say about engineering firms - so if you have any details or thoughts feel free to share!