In this classic work of economic history and social theory, Karl Polanyi analyzes the economic and social changes brought about by the "great transformation" of the Industrial Revolution. His analysis explains not only the deficiencies of the self-regulating market, but the potentially dire social consequences of untempered market capitalism. New introductory material reveals the renewed importance of Polanyi's seminal analysis in an era of globalization and free trade.

卡爾·波蘭尼（Karl Polany，1886-1964）是20世紀公認的最徹底、最有辨識力的經濟史學傢。當法西斯主義興起時，他離開瞭齣生的匈牙利，成為英國公民。在其學術生涯中，曾先後在牛津大學的本寜頓學院和倫敦大學教書。著有《法西斯主義的本質》、《大轉型》和《達荷美和奴隸貿易》(與A．羅特施泰因閤作)等作品。