Description
Book SynopsisOffers an analysis of Solidarity, from its ideological origins in the Polish "new left," through the dramatic revolutionary months of 1980-81, and up-to the union's resurgence in 1988-89, when it sat down with the government to negotiate Poland's future.
Trade Review"For both academic analysts and political activists, this book offers useful lessons from the Polish experience with anti-politics and neocorporatism."—
Political Science Quarterly"In his superb book, ...political scientist David Ost chronicles the trajectory of the Polish post-war opposition from its roots in the fascist resistance up to the actions of Solidarity in 19.... [He] astutely bridges academic disciplines, interweaving social theory with intellectual and political history to explain Solidarity's raison d'etre.... In an age when definitions of left and right have become obscured, Solidarity and the Politics of Anti-Politics stands out at a creative example of left thought."
—In These Times
"Ost contributes not only an explication of Polish political life, but he also presents a vision of democracy applicable to the Western world as a whole."
—Jewish Currents
Table of ContentsPreface Abbreviations 1. The Style of Solidarity Right and Left A Postmodern Politics 2. Civil Society and the "Third Road" Capitalism and Civil Society State Socialism and Civil Society The "Third Road" 3. The Genesis of Political Opposition in Poland: 1944-1970 Opposition in the Era of "People's Democracy" Stalinism and Post-Stalinism The Demise of Revisionism: 1968-1970 4. Opposition and Civil Society: 1970-1980 Late Post-Stalinism and the Turn to Civil Society Politics and the Reconstruction of Social Ties Anticipatory Democracy Politics and the Problem of the State 5. Politics, Anti-Politics, and the Beginnings of Solidarity Independent Unions: Government Resistance (Buying off strikers with wage increases Offering a reorganization of the old unions instead of the creation of new ones Trying to limit new unions to certain regions Repackaging old unions as new ones) Signs of Hope The Structure of Solidarity The Significance of Solidarity's First Period 6. Solidarity, Democracy, and Neocorporatism Neocorporatism and Democracy The Turn to Politics The August Turning Point Last Attempts at a Political Solution A Neocorporatist Proposal The Final Weeks 7. The Poverty of Martial Law: Limping Toward Reform Organizing an Underground Church and State Amnesty and Disarray The Right-Wing Critique of Solidarity Referendum and Reorganization The Party Moves Toward Reform Toward an Anti-Crisis Pact 8. The Viability of an Accord The Basis of Soviet Acceptance Poland and the "Spanish Road" Epilog: The New Solidarity Postscript Notes Bibliography Index
