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This article examines the relevance of the Karl Polanyi's contributions to economics in general and to the issue of endogeneity of human preferences in particular. Although Polanyi never spoke of endogenous preferences, one can capture in his work a vision of the historical specificity and institutional dependence of human purposes and reasons for behavior. It is undeniable that in Polanyi there is a certain tendency to overlook human volition and to fall into a kind of institutional...

This article argues, within the context of Karl Polanyi's work, that the common view of Chile is doubly miscontrued, in terms of free market economics. Events since the end of the dictatorship (1989) tend to confirm Polanyi's hypothesis in 'The Great Transformation' (1957; discussed in the following section) while at the same time negating the Chicago School's view that a free market society could be built--even under a dictatorship. In Chile from September 1973 onward through 1989, the...

The article presents the shared vision of Polanyi and Heilbroner. This paper focuses on the parallel ideas of economists Karl Polanyi and Robert Heilbroner. Their concept on the role of market system in the emergence of economics as a field of study is explained. More issues included are the requirements for the transformation of a pre-market society into a true market, Polanyi's influence to several economists, and relevance of the Polanyi/Heilbroner vision of the market system to the...

The ideas of Karl Polanyi's The Great Transformation have often been referred to in the recent debates that have emerged as a reaction to the rise of neoliberal policies. This paper deals with contradictory interpretations of the notion of social protectionism in the work of Karl Polanyi. There are two opposing interpretations distinguished here. The first interprets social protectionism as a balancing principle of economic liberalism. The second understands social protectionism as a part of...

Mark Blyth's rebuttal to our constructive critique of Polanyi "blithely" takes for granted the accuracy of Polanyi's now-outdated historiography of capitalism--by means of a loose, overly expansive definition of capitalism that question-beggingly equates it with modernity. Blyth emphasizes the need to view markets as "socially embedded," with which we agree--but he appears not to take account of the individual self-interest that is thus embedded. Similarly, he asserts a priori the role of...

KM: a section focuses on Polanyi's analysis of the social and political construction of markets and of "market society" in Europe, and then discusses the extent to which this type of analysis can be applied to the formation of global markets in the late twentieth century. It then looks at gender dimensions and the tension between the assumptions of economic rationality associated with market behaviour and the real-life experiences of women and men. Beneria then extends this analysis to the...

This article reviews two books about the thoughts of economist Karl Polanyi including "The Life and Work of Karl Polanyi," edited by Kari Polanyi-Levitt, and "Karl Polanyi in Vienna: The Contemporary Significance of the Great Transformation," edited by Kenneth McRobbie and Polanyi-Levitt.

The paper seeks to investigate, from a methodological and ontological perspective, different ways of theorizing the third sphere--the set of activities that can be captured by neither the price mechanism of the markets nor by governmental transactions. The first aim is to elucidate the constitutive elements of the third sphere by deploying Polanyi's forms of integration (reciprocity, redistribution, and exchange). The second is to survey the ontologically individualist and methodologically...

This paper suggests that the firm can be analysed as a regulated system of contested sovereignty. The economic literature on the firm is categorised in terms of four different perspectives on sovereignty identified using the twin factors of power and authority. But rather than any single perspective being identified as analytically superior, it is argued that a system of contested sovereignty should be based on all four perspectives. Following this, a Polanyi-inspired analysis of firm...

The author critiques the expedient application of market valuation principles by the transnational corporations and other large firms in the Indian pharmaceutical industry on a number of issues like patents, pricing, irrational drugs, clinical trials, etc. He contends that ethics in business is chiseled and etched within the confines of particular social structures of accumulation. An ascendant neo-liberal social structure of accumulation has basically shaped these firms' sharp opposition to...

This article presents information on the construction of market institutions in Russia and includes the institutional conception provided by analyst Karl Polanyi. Polanyi's main ideas will be expounded in regard to his interest in analyzing the transition. These ideas will be adapted to the object of study and then specified so that they will be efficient criteria for analyzing the present economic transition. Second, the results obtained will be applied to the Russian case, and an attempt...

Explains the mired history of social and economic thinking that has culminated in the new capitalism. McQuaig argues that instead of shaping our society to fit the economy, we must shape the economy to fit the society we want. 2001.

The article replies to professor David Levine's rhetoric and reality in American welfare history. The author largely agrees with Professor Levine's conclusion that the impact of the application of the principles of 1834 on contemporary welfare reform is "far more potent rhetorically than it is in fact" (733) and that "the slowly expanding mild welfare state is here to stay" (741). Levine argues that this is the result of the emergence and persistence of a "New Deal consensus" regarding the...

'An excellent contribution to our understanding of the political construction of markets... This is a well-written book, enjoyable to read as well as being very informative. I view this volume as a 'must read' for all scholars and graduate students in the areas of government and business, the politics of market economies and comparative politics in general. Michelle Egan's description and explanation of market construction and its impact on business standards, regulation and governance will...

The article focuses on the interpretation of consequences of Midwestern agricultural industrialization. The nature and consequences of the industrialization of agriculture are well documented in academic research and in the popular press. Interpretations of the process vary in reflection of the diverse perceptions of the nature and overall significance of industrialization. Suggested policies range from a "hands-off" to a "prohibit and prevent wherever possible" approach. Both approaches are...

Karl Polanyi's The Great Transformation has had enormous influence since its publication in 1944. In form, this influence has been salutary: Polanyi targets one of the main weaknesses of modern economics. But in substance, Polanyi's influence has been baneful. Mirroring the methodological blindness he criticizes, Polanyi insists on the all-or-nothing existence/nonexistence of laissez faire--and on its all-or-nothing goodness/badness.

Those who believe that the free market is positively related to both economic efficiency and individual freedom are prone to regard resistance to the establishment of the global market essentially free from any serious sociopolitical constraint as a politically insignificant expression of impatience, ignorance, and hypocrisy. This article attempts to endow the manifestation of discontent with the status quo evident in public protests in Seattle and Washington DC with political significance...