Karl Polanyi's Political and Economic Thought, A Critical Guide

The work of Karl Polanyi has become a central reference point for scholars working in a variety of traditions and disciplines within the social sciences, including international relations, international political economy, economic sociology, and economic anthropology. This book offers a comprehensive introduction to Polanyi's work by examining the key themes that run throughout his work: economy, commodification, money, the gold standard, geopolitical economy, the state, class, fascism, democracy, and knowledge.

Each chapter introduces the relevant aspects of Polanyi's writings, covering important terminology and the position of the topic in relation to his work more broadly. The contributions seek to engage critically with Polanyi's ideas, analyzing both the strengths and weaknesses of his work. In addition, each chapter highlights the connections that Polanyi has with contemporary issues and debates.

The contributors seek simultaneously to openly engage with the problems of Polanyi's work and also to celebrate its diversity, encouraging the reader to see it as a whole and not as a set of fragmented concepts. It is an ideal introduction for students engaging with Polanyi's work for the first time.