Knowledge economy, "immaterial" work and intangible capital: a theoretical contribution

This paper will analyze the nature of the rupture which corresponds to the transition from fordism to post-fordism, and define the mechanisms which characterize the actual capitalism. In a firs part, from a Marxian point of view, I'll show how the limits of the commodity form may explain the development of immaterial activities and the limits of labor value theory. In a second part, I will show the specificities of "immaterial" capitalism, and the way the value creation and appropriation changed today. I'll demonstrate how, below different forms, the mercantile logic extends to other social activities. The system is characterized by the private appropriation of knowledge, but the production of this knowledge is highly socialized. So, the system continues being a capitalist one, below new historical forms.