The Great Transformation
Explores societal changes due to Industrial Revolution and consequences of ‘market society’.
Summary of 5 Key Points
Key Points
- Societal upheaval due to Industrial Revolution
- Consequences of ‘market society’
- Emphasizes on the role of state
- Transformation of human livelihoods
- Countermovement against market society
key point 1 of 5
Societal upheaval due to Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution brought about a seismic shift in society, causing major upheavals in all sectors. The traditional agrarian and craft-based economy was replaced by an industrial and capitalist one characterized by mechanization and factory production. This triggered a massive shift in employment from rural to urban areas, as people moved en masse to towns and cities in search of factory jobs…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 5
Consequences of ‘market society’
The consequences of a ‘market society’ involve a radical transformation in the nature and purpose of society. In a market society, economic activities and the pursuit of profit become the primary focus. This shift is characterized by an emphasis on competition over cooperation and the prioritization of individualism over collectivism. It results in the commodification of aspects of life which previously had non-economic values, such as labor, land, and money…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 5
Emphasizes on the role of state
In the perspective of The Great Transformation, the role of the state is portrayed as a necessary and active participant in economic affairs, rather than a passive bystander. This perspective challenges the laissez-faire economic principle where the state’s role is limited to enforcing contracts and protecting property rights. Instead, the state is recognized as a vital institution that facilitates the functioning of the market by creating and enforcing rules that govern economic interactions…Read&Listen More
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Transformation of human livelihoods
The transformation of human livelihoods, as presented, is a profound shift from traditional, self-sustaining economies to market-driven ones. This shift was marked by a change in how societies conceptualized the idea of value. Before the transformation, the primary value was based on the relationships and connections between people and their environment. The shared communal responsibility and the concept of reciprocity were embedded in these societies. But with the advent of the market economy, the notion of value became more materialistic, based on economic exchange and individual gain…Read&Listen More
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Countermovement against market society
In the face of the market society, a countermovement is born which represents a strong resistance against the self-regulating market. The countermovement is a reactionary force that refuses to accept the notion that everything can be commoditized and that human relations should be governed by the market. The countermovement is not anti-market, but it’s against the idea of market-dominance that commoditizes land, labor, and money. This resistance believes in the need for social and economic protection to guard the integrity of these commodities that are also seen as the fundamental substance of human existence…Read&Listen More