‘One of the most powerful books in the social sciences ever written’ Thomas Piketty
‘The twentieth century's most prophetic critic of capitalism’ Prospect

Karl Polanyi is one of the most important critics of capitalism, and his 1944 work is one of the first and most powerful critiques of market regulations. Tracing the history of capitalism from the great transformation of the industrial revolution onwards, he shows that there is nothing 'natural' about the market condition. Instead of limiting human relationships and the environment to mere commodities, the economy must always be embedded in the political society. Describing the 'avalanche of social disintegration' of his time, Polanyi's work is a passionate appeal to protect our common humanity.

‘Polanyi's perspective on an alternative economy re-embedded in political and social relations offers a refreshing alternative’ Guardian
‘Polanyi exposes the myth of the free market’ Joseph E. Stiglitz

With a new introduction by Gareth Dale

Pages: 384, Dimensions: 13x13cm