Echange, commerce et monnaies dans les économies non modernes

The main point of this paper is threefold ; we wish first to stress the very foundations of the substantive approach initiated by Karl Polanyi. It then seems necessary to take into account both old and new criticisms concerning Karl Polanyi's work, whether the critics be Marxian, classical or " neoinstitutional " economists: indeed, the decisive issue is to know if a solely economic analysis of social institutions is to replace the Polanyian analysis of social institution which is radically socio-economic. Finally, three major institutions of substantive economy - i. e. trade, money and exchange - are put forward, as a way of constrasting Polanyian and non-Polanyian views: the substantive approach remains valid, even if the political feature of money uses must the subject of further analysis.