Abstract:

Economic anthropology as seen from Mauss's The Gift and Polanyi's The Great Transformation provides inspirations for thinking about the current situation of the world. However, the discussion and interpretation of both works by English and American intellectuals in the 20th century deviate from the real intention of the authors and largely ignore the interconnection between these writings and the authors. Through a careful analysis of this interconnection, this study suggests that:1) Both Mauss and Polanyi oppose to the formalist economic model based on utilitarianism, and the contrasts of gifts and commodities, as well as the utopian dreams of liberalism and communism. 2) A careful reading of Mauss's and Polanyi's writings also indicates that both authors tend to see private property, market and money as formal means of social substance, i.e means of expression and organization of the substantial inter-exchange existed within society and frame of mind. Moreover, they regarded empirical studies of money, wealth and market as ways to approach the theoretical holism of society. By contrast, modern economic thought reverses the cause-effect sequence by making an independent economic sphere under the formalist model and a natural individual as the foundation of society. 3) Mauss and Polanyi complemented each other on their studies of the birth of modern society and individuals. 4) Polanyi's double movement, fiction commodity and embedment, along with Mauss's total presentation have to be understood in relation to their discussion on holism and substance of society.
Mauss and Polanyi have broadened our understanding of individual and society, as well as of individual freedom and market. In their view, studies of people in their real and everyday life should be the starting point of economic anthropology. In this respect, The Gift and The Great Transformation give us an alternative and pluralistic way of explaining economy in a holistic society, together they lay the foundation of economic anthropology based on substantivism.

Key words: substantive economy, market, money, The Gift, The Great Transformation