Description
Book SynopsisIn 1989, Poland became the first Eastern Bloc country to shake off the dominance of its ruling Communist party. Although other post-Communist countries have since followed suit, Poland's experience has been unique in its move to Westernize. In this timely and insightful account, Ben Slay provides the first integrated, comprehensive assessment of Po
Trade Review"It is Slay's rooting of modern Polish history in Poland's complex past and emphasis on the forces of continuity which distinguishes this analysis of a former communist economy from those whose framework is simply one of the transition from 'socialism' to 'capitalism', as though history began in 1948. As Slay shows, there is plenty in Poland's past which has echoes in the present... This excellent and highly readable book offers a well-balanced assessment."--Financial Times
Table of ContentsList of TablesList of AcronymsA Chronology of the Transition, 1989-1993PrefaceIntroduction3Ch. IThe Polish Crisis and Polish Socialism9The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Partitions9The Rise and Fall of the Second Republic14The Establishment of Socialism21Stalinism and the Polish October27From October to December: The Gomulka Years31Gierek's "New Development Strategy" and the WOG Reform36The Collapse of the New Development Strategy43The Democratic Opposition and the Birth of Solidarity46Ch. IICrisis and Reform in the 1980s50Martial Law and the "First Stage" of Economic Reform50The "Second Stage" of Economic Reform: 1986-198865Political Reform during the Second Stage70The Roundtable Agreements72The Private Sector in the 1980s75Economic Performance in the 1980s79The Legacies of the Reforms of the 1980s85Ch. IIICrisis and Economic Transformation, 1990-199286The Origins of the Balcerowicz Plan89The Balcerowicz Plan in 199091The Balcerowicz Plan in 199198Privatization in Poland 1990-1992102Between "Breakthrough" and "Continuity" in 1992111The Politics of the Economic Transition, 1989-1993120Is the Polish Crisis Over?132Ch. IVTransformations in Key Markets and Sectors138Industry138Agriculture144Banking, Capital, and Financial Markets149Labor Markets and Social Policy156External Economic Relations166Ch. VThe Lessons of the Polish Transition176How Does Poland Compare?176Lessons of the Polish Experience178Notes189Bibliography207Index227
