Exposition of Abstract Labour Ajit Kumar Chaudhury This paper extends the Marxian concept of abstract labour on the line proposed by Rubin. The object of the extension is to review the recent debate on the issue, and the related questions that follow, in the light of Rubin's treatment of the subject. The author's focus is on the qualitative value problem; the quantitative aspects are peripheral to the main thrust of this paper The paper is divided into three sections. Section II outlines the essentials of the Marxian concept of abstract labour as elaborated by Rubin. The limitations of Rubin's analysis are pointed out and possible modifications are examined. The implications of Rubin's analysis, in the context of the recent debate on value theory, have been worked out in section III.
