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The Great Transformation

The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time
By Karl Polanyi
Penguin Classics
Series: Penguin Modern Classics
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Brief Description
A classic work of social science from the twentieth century's most prophetic critic of capitalism Prospect One of the most powerful books in social sciences ever written. ... A must-read Thomas Piketty The twentieth century's most prophetic critic of capitalism Prospect Tracing the history of capitalism... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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A classic work of social science from the twentieth century's most prophetic critic of capitalism Prospect

One of the most powerful books in social sciences ever written. ... A must-read Thomas Piketty

The twentieth century's most prophetic critic of capitalism Prospect

Tracing the history of capitalism in England and beyond, Karl Polanyi's landmark 1944 classic brilliantly exposed the myth of laissez-faire economics. From the great transformation that occurred during the industrial revolution onwards, he showed, there has been nothing 'natural' about the market state.

Instead, the economy must always be embedded in society, and human needs and relations. Witnessing the 'avalanche of social dislocation' of his time - from the Great Depression, to the rise of fascism and communism and the First and Second World Wars - Polanyi ends with a rallying cry for freedom, and a passionate vision to protect our common humanity.

Polanyi's revolutionary work is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of our economic systems and debunking the myths around the free market Mariana Mazzucato

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241685556

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 June 2024

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 285g

Pages: 384

Collections

Education & Reference Finance & Economics Finance & Investment Karl Polanyi Non-Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: Education & Reference Politics & Current Affairs Series: Penguin Modern Classics

About the Author

Karl Polanyi (1886-1964) is considered one of the twentieth century's most prophetic and perceptive economic historians and social theorists. After fleeing his native Hungary and Austria with the rise of fascism, he became a British citizen. During his academic career he taught for the Workers' Educational Association and at Bennington College and Columbia University. He wrote 'The Essence of Fascism', The Great Transformation, and (with A. Rotstein) Dahomey and the Slave Trade.

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