Graziani and Napoleoni on the Nature and the Dynamics of Capitalism

I look at Napoleoni’s and Graziani’s theoretical contributions from the vantage point of the 1970s. From there, I look both backwards and forward to the evolution of their respective systems of thought. The choice of the 1970s is not due only to theoretical reasons—because those were crucial years for the development of their respective systems of thought; but, also, to autobiographical reasons—because that was the decade when, in succession, I met them. After presenting some personal recollections of the periods when I was their student, I address some theoretical issues in two sections, respectively devoted to Claudio Napoleoni and Augusto Graziani. I mostly look at their analyses of capital—its nature, accumulation and valorization—because this was, in my opinion, the main focus of their theoretical interests.