A New Society
The Great Transformation, written by Karl Polanyi, “concentrated on the development of the market economy in the 19th century, with Polanyi presenting his belief that this form of economy was so socially divisive that it had no long-term future.”[1] His opening statement affirms this as he states “Nineteenth-century civilization has collapsed.”[2] This declaration of doom certainly grabs the reader from the beginning but what keeps the reader is, as Robert Kuttner states in his article “Karl Polanyi Explains it All,” Polanyi’s ability to be a “great non-Marxian synthesizer of the tragic interplay of markets, society, and politics.”[3] Perhaps this is why the book weaves its way into continued conversation even today.
According to Dr. Jason Clark, Karl Polanyi as well as Max Weber (The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism) “were acutely aware of the need for accounts of the history of things in order to understand concrete realities. They believed such accounts, if made, could help explain their own contexts and serve as predictors of future situations. For many have ignored religious actors in making historical accounts, as we have seen.”[4] Several writers attest to this, criticizing many economists for living only in the present reality as opposed to taking the past into account.
Polanyi’s thoughts were formed by the disastrous events of World War I. “From his journalistic outpost in Vienna, Polanyi had been an eyewitness to the internecine conflicts between Communists and Socialists in Germany that prevented a united front to stop the triumph of Nazism.”[5] This is interesting to note. Perhaps this is why Polanyi does not seem to advocate Communism or Socialism. Yet, he is not sold on Capitalism either.
Polanyi gives the portrayal of a better future. He analyzes how four institutions serve as the foundation of political unrest: a political balance of power system, the international gold standard, the liberal state, and the SRM.[6] Furthermore, his method tries to “reconstruct a broader political vision from the practical results of the independent activity of workers and their advancing self-organization. This means looking for the seeds of a new society as they arise organically over the course of democratic struggles within capitalism.”[7]
A new society… Personally, I wonder what a new society would look like? I am not an economist. However, as Christians, our views on money and how it functions, not only in our lives but in our society, need to be of importance for us. A new society that could truly work would have to have Kingdom principles at the heart. AI offers some components which the Bible has to offer for this “new society”:
- Stewardship: It emphasizes responsible and ethical management of resources, emphasizing that humans are stewards of the Earth and its resources rather than owners. This principle encourages responsible and sustainable business practices.
- Ethical business practices: Biblical principles promote honesty, integrity, and fairness in business transactions.
- Charity and generosity: The Bible encourages individuals and businesses to be charitable and generous, helping those in need and contributing to the well-being of their communities. This can manifest as philanthropy and social responsibility.
- Work ethic: The Bible teaches the value of hard work and personal responsibility.
- Property rights: Private property rights are generally respected…as long as they are exercised in ways consistent with ethical and moral principles.
- Free markets: This perspective typically supports the idea of free markets and competition as efficient means for allocating resources, but it also emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior within those markets.
- Avoiding exploitation: It encourages businesses and individuals to avoid exploitation, usury, and unfair treatment of vulnerable populations, in line with the Bible’s teaching on justice and compassion. (Retrieved from https://chat.openai.com/c/c60083fe-4684-4856-ae2e-175e48272a3a, on October 26, 2023)
AI, of course, is not our source. The Bible is. And it speaks loudly in this realm as there are well over 2000 verses that deal with how we should handle our money and resources.
Here are a few to consider:
Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (NIV)
Luke 12:34: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (NIV)
Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (ESV)
[1] Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Karl Polanyi.” Encyclopedia Britannica, October 21, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Karl-Polanyi.
[2] Karl Polanyi, The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time, 3rd edition (Beacon Press, 2001). 3.
[3] Robert Kuttner, “Karl Polanyi Explains It All,” The American Prospect, April 15, 2014, https://prospect.org/api/content/b268c023-20d2-552b-9f5b-26e0ac099fe1/.
[4] Jason Paul Clark, “Evangelicalism and Capitalism: A Reparative Account and Diagnosis of Pathogeneses in the Relationship” (Portland, OR, Portland Seminary, 2018). 122-123.
[5] “Karl Polanyi and Twenty-First Century Socialism,” openDemocracy, accessed October 22, 2023, https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/karl-polanyi-and-twenty-first-century-socialism/.
[6] Jason Paul Clark, “Evangelicalism and Capitalism: A Reparative Account and Diagnosis of Pathogeneses in the Relationship.” 126.
[7] Clark, Jason Paul.“Los Angeles Review of Books,” Los Angeles Review of Books, January 25, 2019, https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/socialism-and-freedom-karl-polanyis-early-writings/.
About the Author
Esther Edwards
Esther has served in ministry leadership for over 35 years. She is an ordained minister, an ICF and CCLC certified coach, and licensed coach trainer. Her and her husband have launched their own coaching practice, Enjoy the Journey Leadership Coaching and seek to train ministry leaders in the powerful skill of coaching. Esther loves hiking, reading, and experiencing new coffee shops with friends and family. She enjoys the journey with her husband, Keith, their four daughters, sons-in-law, and their five beautiful grandchildren.6 responses to “A New Society”
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Hi Esther,
Your point about looking for seeds of a new society and looking to scripture has me thinking that our approach to living with all these tensions really does need to be flexible, moving right along with whatever changes the market and world events bring. I have spent two years in the Gospel of Luke with some very dear folks at the end of life and the uncertainties of their financial well-being come up regularly. One of the lovely themes within Luke is the idea of the upside-down kingdom in which the Kingdom of God looks totally opposite from the kingdoms and principles of the world. It doesn’t just bring hope for eternity, but offers a path to live out the “upside-down” kingdom in the here and now. We have opportunities to actively engage in different and very counter-culture ways with glimpses of God’s kingdom being restored. I enjoyed your post and your use of AI. What a great list!
The upside-down kingdom is what gives hope to all of us. What I love about the gospel is that it works everywhere…in every country, in every situation, with all people, not just those that are affluent or educated.
Esther- reading your blog, a light bulb went off.
“No one can serve two masters…” it seems Economics is the study how we make decisions based on our calculations of the cost/benefit calculation of those decisions. I think many of the conundrums we have been identifying with this (and previous) week’s readings can be boiled down to which master are we serving based on our (sometimes subconscious) calculations of the payoff. Too crass? To simplistic?
Jen,
Not at all crass or simplistic but makes much sense. To take it even further, the question may also need to be asked “What motivates the need for the payoff and all the calculations it may take to get there?” Why does the human heart always need more to feel validated or whole?
Hi Esther! I like your post. It is so insightful! You offer a new society based on the Bible’s values. It is wonderful.
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge that Christianity has to bring the new society system into reality?
Hi, Dinka,
All through history, the church has made a difference in very dark economic times so we should not think that our attempts to affect the culture are in vain. On a micro level, the church can make a difference in simply reevaluating where their heart and motivation is in regards to economical thinking. Are we more concerned about our income then our output and investment in the needs around us? The sad thing is, is that we often also fall prey to the consumption mindset, making church more about a business model then a ministry.