Profit, Capitalist, a converted form of surplus value which appears as the excess of returns over expenditures of capital and is appropriated by the capitalist without remuneration. The latter advances his capital not only to purchase labour power, but also to acquire the means of production which are indispensable for the production process and the creation of surplus value. Therefore, "in its assumed capacity of offspring of the aggregate advanced capital, surplus-value takes the converted form of profit" (Karl Marx, Capital, Vol. Ill, p. 36). In fact, profit is derived, not from all the capital, but only from that part of it expended on labour power—variable capital. The form of profit disguises its real origins, the exploitation of live labour by capital. The conversion of surplus value into profit is explained by the fact that surplus value is really manifested only during the sale of commodities as a difference between its price and capitalist production costs (see Production Costs, Capitalist), i. e., in the form of the profit which, after the completion of each turnover of capital accrues to its owner. The capitalists’ pursuit of maximum profit is the determining objective and principal motive of capitalist production. In the epoch of free competition entrepreneurs contented themselves with average (general) profits. Under imperialism the monopolies set monopoly prices, intensify the exploitation of the working people of their own countries and the peoples of other countries, especially the economically underdeveloped countries, enrich themselves through arms supplies, appropriate part of profit of nonmonopolised enterprises, and as a result obtain monopoly superprofits.