On Polish Political Attitudes
Abstract
It is already difficult to remember that the radical rejection of socialism in Poland occurred only in the late 1980s. In recent Polish history, the years 1980 and 1981 are associated with the birth of the Solidarity movement. But it was also a time when Poland first experienced a traumatic fall in the standard of living. Economic stagnation had begun earlier, but the ruthless decline took place within less than two years. Its most visible manifestations appeared within a few months and affected everyone. Empty shops and growing queues hurt even people who were comparatively well off. This drop in the standard of living was accompanied by a breakdown of the social order.
- © 1991 Telos Press Publishing