our historical beliefs - e.g. a) ever eternal increase of purchasing power in a affluent society b) The atomization of relationships c) Conceiving Humans as anything more than consumers

These are all results that flow from making the society a function of the economy rather than insisting that the economy be a function of the society. In The Great Transformation Polanyi notes that successful resistance to these demands has, in the past, served to slow the process to a rate at which the social fabric can be preserved through the changes.

While Polanyi's work was published in 1944 it remains highly relevant and is an easy read. I guess lessons not learned often remain relevant.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."