Abstract

This paper reviews various treatments of the skilled labour problem in value theory. It argues that skilled workers' own labour embodies the same amount of labour substance of value as do unskilled workers in a unit of labour time. This is an egalitarian view which impacts on a number of debates. Some of these ramifications are illustrated with discussions of international trade and unequal exchange, socialism and inequality, and the reproduction of labour power under different arrangements for funding the costs of education and training.