Abstract

This paper reconsiders Marx’s theory of capital in the light of more recent discussions of the relationship between capital and nature. It points out how this theory continues to be misrepresented and misunderstood by a number of scholars, and argues that one reason for such failings is a tendency to neglect the role of labour in mediating this relationship. Further, the paper reviews literature relating to the value of nature, primitive accumulation, natural capital and the production of nature, in order to show the importance of the concept of labour and the limitations of approaches that do not recognize that importance.