Karl Polanyi

Latest Posts in Karl Polanyi

Beyond the Pandemic: An “Inflection Point”?

“Recovery” will not be enough; the status quo was not working for many of us.  We must turn in a new direction, with changed values, new policies, and revitalized institutions.  Or else. There must be a basic consensus about the duties and obligations that we have toward one another.  Such a consensus no longer exists in this country, and it is a very dangerous situation.  We must create a new political consensus around a set of shared values, with a social contract that aims to achieve fairness and a fair society.  Among other things, this must include a universal basic needs guarantee.   

 


Capitalism and the Collective Survival Enterprise

In his famous book, The Great Transformation(1944), the political economist/ anthropologist/sociologist Karl Polanyi produced a classic critique of the classic liberal (conservative) ideal of free market capitalism that still resonates today.