The aim of this paper is to indicate the significance of normative theory to the development of the political economy. It is necessary to accept the achievements of critical economics other than Marxian economics for the progress in the political economy. However, as the range of the political economy spreads, the identity of the political economy has to be clear so that it can remain consistent. One of the main factors in this identity is normative theory, the content of which is socialism. So far, normative theory has been promoted by liberalism, and socialist normative theory has been inactive. However, it has increasingly been influenced by analytical Marxism since the 1980's. Socialist normative theory is now under construction. I have examined the orientation of this theory in comparison with utilitarianism, libertarianism, egalitarian liberalism, communitarianism, ecology, and feminism. The normative idea of socialism succeeds the contribution of liberalism and capitalism, and furthermore, it seeks a community that coexists with nature, while avoiding a reaction to naturalism or conservatism. It also looks for a society that truly realizes the ideas of liberty, equality, and community. What is the relationship between socialist normative theory and the political economy? Historical materialism was the foundation of Marxian economics, and I think it will be the same with the political economy. According to historical materialism, normative values are determined by the economic structure. Therefore, it seems that normative theory, which pursues non-historical normative truth, contradicts historical materialism. However, I have argued that universal values exist, which can be consistent with the idea that normative values are determined by the economic structure at different times. It is true that traditional Marxism tended to make little of normative theory because it stressed that there exist two historical trends. One is the growth of an organized working class as the agent for socialist revolution. The other is the trend that normative values will become less important as limitless abundance will be achieved by the increase in productive forces. In reality, however, we can no longer presuppose these two trends. Therefore, normative theory becomes essential for the purpose of the realization of socialism. With this understanding, I have explained the relationship between historical materialism and the normative values central to socialism such as freedom, equality, and community. As for liberty, traditional Marxism thought that perfect liberty could be realized by the advent of a communist society, where limitless abundance will be attained. However, we are living in a time of ecological crisis, so the liberty that should be sought for is not a perfect one, but a controlled one. The idea of equality itself is a timeless normative value. However, this idea has different implications at different times. For example, analytical Marxists showed that the forms of exploitation and class have changed throughout history. This is one way to synthesize historical materialism and normative theory. At present, our interests are changing from possession to existence, and a caring society that overcomes the defects of a market economy and state regulation is coming. This means that we are entering a historical era of communism in which our fundamental needs for care can be fulfilled. Recently, various theories of alternative societies, which realize the idea of socialism, have been presented. The political economy should be engaged in the tasks that show us how to attain such societies by reforming the capitalist economy. Traditional Marxism has devoted itself to criticizing the capitalist economy and the economics that supports it. The new political economy should not only criticize them, but also positively create a vision of alternative societies that can realize the socialist idea and the way to attain them.
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