Karl Polanyi

Karl Polanyi was a Hungarian economic historian, economic anthropologist, and social philosopher known for his opposition to traditional economic thought and his work on the social and cultural aspects of economic systems.

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Great Transformation

    The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time

    The book in question is a seminal work in economic and social history that examines the development and impact of the modern market economy on global societies. It argues that the rise of market capitalism in the 19th century fundamentally transformed social structures and human relationships, with the commodification of land, labor, and money turning them into tradable goods. This transformation led to social dislocation and crises, prompting a counter-movement for social protection and the rise of the welfare state. The author challenges the idea that the market economy is a natural and inevitable form of social organization, instead presenting it as a constructed system with profound effects on the fabric of society.

    The 3427th Greatest Book of All Time
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