POLISH WORKERS AND THE POST-COMMUNIST TRANSITION, 1989-1993

In: The Pacific review, Band 47, Heft 4, S. 669-712

Abstract

THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES HOW POLISH WORKERS INFLUENCED POLAND'S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION FROM 1989 TO 1993 AND HOW THEY WERE AFFECTED BY THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CHANGES. HE FINDS THAT THE POLITICAL INFLUENCE OF POLISH WORKERS DURING THE FIRST FOUR YEARS OF THE POST-COMMUNIST ERA WAS SURPRISINGLY MEAGER. THE SOLIDARITY TRADE UNION SPLIT INTO A NUMBER OF SMALL, BICKERING FACTIONS WHOSE POLITICAL INFLUENCE WAS OFTEN MARGINAL. NO COHESIVE WORKERS' MOVEMENT OR COMPARABLE ENTITY AROSE TO FILL THE VOID LEFT BY SOLIDARITY.