TEN YEARS AFTER 1989

In: Dissent: a journal devoted to radical ideas and the values of socialism and democracy, S. 14-16

Abstract

THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE SOVIET EMPIRE IN 1989 COMPLETELY CHANGED THE GEOPOLITICS OF CENTRAL EUROPE. ALTHOUGH THE REVOLUTION WAS A GREAT CHANGE WITHOUT A GREAT EUTOPIA, THE POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT HAVE RESULTED CLEARLY SEEM TO OUTWEIGH THE NEGATIVES. FOR EXAMPLE, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY POLAND DOES NOT HAVE ANY ETHNIC CONFLICTS; IT IS NOW AMONG THE NEW MEMBERS OF NATO. POLAND IS AN INDEPENDENT AND DEMOCRATIC, STABLE AND SAFE COUNTRY, AND IT IS THRIVING. THAT IS NOT A BAD BOTTOM LINE AFTER ONE DECADE IN A COUNTRY TORN APART FOR 300 YEARS BY FOREIGN FORCES AND BY ITS OWN ANARCHY.