The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time

Karl Polanyi

Beacon Press, Mar 28, 2001 - Business & Economics - 360 pages

In this classic work of economic history and social theory, Karl Polanyi analyzes the economic and social changes brought about by the "great transformation" of the Industrial Revolution. His analysis explains not only the deficiencies of the self-regulating market, but the potentially dire social consequences of untempered market capitalism. New introductory material reveals the renewed importance of Polanyi's seminal analysis in an era of globalization and free trade.

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LibraryThing Review

User Review  - thcson - LibraryThing

It's difficult to review this book. I can see why it has been considered a classic and why it is still read today. The author is very knowledgeable in the economic history of the 19th century and his ...

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - aitastaes - LibraryThing

In this classic work of economic history and social theory, Karl Polanyi analyzes the economic and social changes brought about by the ''great transformation'' of the Industrial Revolution. His ...

About the author

Karl Polanyi (1886-1964) is considered one of the twentieth century's most discerning economic historians. He left his position as senior editor of Vienna's leading financial and economic weekly in 1933, became a British citizen, taught adult extension programs for Oxford and London Universities, and held visiting chairs at Bennington College and Columbia University. He is co-author of Christianity and the Social Revolution; author of The Great Transformation; Trade and Market in Early Empires (with C.Arnsberg and H.Pearson) and posthumously, Dahomey and the Slave Trade (with A.Rotstein).

Joseph E. Stiglitz was formerly chair of President Clinton's Council of Economic Advisors, and chief economist of the World Bank. He is professor of economics at Stanford University, and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Fred Block is professor of sociology at the University of California, Davis.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time; Beacon paperbacks
• Author: Karl Polanyi
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: Beacon Press, 2001
• ISBN: 080705643X, 9780807056431
• Length: 360 pages
• Subjects: Business & Economics / Economic History; History / Essays; Political Science / Public Policy / Economic Policy