Having described the emergence of the modern economic system, Polanyi now sought to understand how "the economy" emerged as a distinct sphere in the distant past.
Olles kirjeldanud kaasaegse majandussüsteemi tekkelugu soovis Polanyi nüüd mõista, kuidas "majandus" kaugemas minevikus eraldiseisva valdkonnana esile kerkis.