AMERICA AS SEEN BY POLISH EXCHANGE SCHOLARS
In: Public opinion quarterly: journal of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Band 28, Heft 2, S. 243-256
ISSN: 0033-362X
More than 1500 Poles came to the US on sci'fic or cultural exchange grants between 1958 & 1962. Publication in a single yr of 8 books on the US by the exchangees showed: (1) undiminishing public interest, & (2) realization by the regime of a need to correct prevailing myths on the US. According to J. J. Wiatr'; review in Nowa Kultura, Mar 31, 1963, the books (by J. Chalasinski, S. Ehrlich, A. Matej'ko, E. J. Osmanczyk, J. Strzelecki, W. Wesolowski, J. J. Wiatr, & G. Zielinski) serve as (a) a 'modern weapon in ideological struggle', (b) knowledgeable guide for the regime's action, (c) source of new 'generalizations' about capitalism. While all fulfill the first function, Zielinski & Matejko supply practical guidance by analyzing US 'big business' manag, & Ehrlich & Wesolowski contribute to establishing a modern theory of capitalism. Exchange journalists & artists published impressions in the press, ranging from enthusiasm (about jazz, TV, film), to scorn (about racism). The main findings of an exchanges symposium, in Feb 1962, had been that the US is a consumer society, in which the ideology of success determines the hierarchy of values, but whose culture is truly democratic. The cultural activities of US U's were found unmatched in their intensity & scope. AA.