Theory of surplus with non-uniform rates of profit and the Sraffian standard system

According to Sinha, the condition of a uniform rate of profit in Sraffa’s prices, differently from the classical economists, does not lay on the operation of competition and the mobility of capitals in the economic system. Still, it would be a logical necessity of his system of prices. The logical necessity derives from the relationship between the properties of the ‘actual’ system and those of the ‘standard’ system. Pignalosa and Trabucchi aim to criticize Sinha’s statements on a purely analytical ground, leaving apart the ‘exegetical arguments’ about Sraffa’s work. In what follows, we try to show that, although Pignalosa and Trabucchi’s criticism seems persuasive, there are some hidden analytical problems that we will try to consider within Sraffa’s approach. Although these are logical problems, we need to put forward some exegetical arguments to understand their meaning thoroughly.