DOCSLIB.ORG

Polish Labor Market

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Polish Labor Market Marcin Karlik “Polish labor market - a summary of 25 years of socio-economic reforms on the road from centrally Journal planned economy to the fi rst decade of the European Union membership (1989-2015)”, of International Journal of International Studies, Vol. 8, No 3, 2015, pp. 224-233. DOI: 10.14254/2071-8330.2015/8-3/18 Studies c Papers c Polish labor market - a summary of 25 years of socio-economic © Foundation fi of International reforms on the road from centrally planned economy to the fi rst Studies, 2015 © CSR, 2015 decade of the European Union membership (1989-2015) Scienti Marcin Karlik University of Occupational Safety Management in Katowice Poland [email protected] Abstract. Th e article tackles the issue of changes that have taken place in the Polish labor Received: June, 2015 market in the period 1988-2015. It also shows political conditions and Polish mac- 1st Revision: roeconomic situation at the beginning of system transformation in 1988 and 1989. September, 2015 Th e author also presented the Polish labor market in the years 1989 - 2015, the source Accepted: December, 2015 of the crisis on the labor market and its impact on the socio-economic situation of Poland. DOI: Keywords: labour market, transformation, Poland 10.14254/2071- 8330.2015/8-3/18 JEL classifi cation: J40, P23 INTRODUCTION SITUATION OF POLAND AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EARLY POLITICAL AND MARKET REFORMS IN 1989 In the early 1939 Poland entered into an alliance with France and Great Britain. In September 1939 Poland was invaded by Germany (Th ird Reich) and the Soviet Union (USSR). During World War II (1939- 1945), approx. 6 million Polish citizens died and material losses amounted to approx. 258 billion PLN (ap- prox. 50 billion USD) according to the value on 1 September 1939 (Biuro odszkodowań wojennych, 1947, pp. 24, 30) and approx. 838 billion USD according to the value of 8 August 20151. Poland also lost nearly 1/5 of its territory. Polish losses included cities important for Polish history and culture, such as Lviv, Vilnius, Brest and Grodno. Poland’s industry also lost Lviv – Volyn Coal Basin, Boryslav-Drohobych Oil Basin and majority of Ostrava-Karvina Coal Basin. Poland regained its territory in the west and north of the country with major cities like Gdansk (Danzig), Wrocław (Breslau), Szczecin (Stettin), Opole and cities in western part of Upper Silesia Industrial Region. Th ese cities played a major role in Polish heavy industrial production during the socialist period and were a major source of employment. As a result of military and political activities conducted in 1945-1948 the Soviet Union imposed dominance in the political sphere (the dictatorship of the Polish United Workers Party) and the economic and social situation (centrally planned economy system and favoring foreign trade with the Soviet Union). After the death of Joseph Stalin (1953) leader of the USSR, the Polish authorities received greater autonomy in the area of economic policy and defense. After October 1956 Polish government signifi cantly increased civil and economic liberties. Th e 1 USD (1939) = 16,77 USD (2015) on the basis of: http://www.in2013dollars.com/1939-dollars-in-2015?amount=1 224 Polish labor market - a summary of 25 years of socio-economic reforms on the road Marcin Karlik from centrally planned economy to the fi rst decade... new Polish leader Władysław Gomułka continued to rebuild the country and tried to develop political and economic cooperation with the United States, France, Italy and Great Britain and other Western coun- tries. One of the successes was the purchase of a licenses from Fiat, and then start the production and export of a modern car - the Fiat 125p. In December of 1970 Edward Gierek became the new secretary of the Polish United Workers’ Party. Th e new leader signifi cantly increased investment in the economy fi nanced by foreign loans. In the 70s fi nally rebuild the country from war damages and realized a lot of investment in infrastructure and housing. It also built, among other things: car factory in Bielsko-Biala and Tychy (Fiat 126p), Katowice Steel Works, the refi nery and the North Harbour in Gdansk. Th e increase in foreign debt caused the economic and political crisis. Deteriorating economic conditions led to mass protests and fi nally to military coup (13.12.1981). Th e new government led by General Wojciech Jaruzelski tried to carry out economic reforms eg. increasing the autonomy of public enterprises and greater freedom for the cooperative and private economic activity. However, the changes did not result in a signifi cant and rapid improvement in socio-economic situation. In addition, the Polish economy was characterized by high offi cial infl ation (62.2% in 1988) and hidden infl ation (rationing of food and basic commodities) (Kołodko, 1999, p. 42). Polish foreign debt was in 1989. Approx. 41 billion USD. (Hunter & Ryan, 1998, p. 82) In addition, Poland is also characterized by the strong position of trade unions - both workers’ and farmers. At the begin- ning of the transformation, the level of socio-economic development in the most developed countries of Central Europe (Czech Republic, Slovenia) was comparable with the level of socio-economic development of the poorest countries in Western Europe (Greece, Portugal) (tab 1). Albania, Poland and Bulgaria were in the worst socio-economic situation (Balcerowicz, 1997, p. 360). Table 1 Comparison of the level of socio-economic development of selected European countries in 1990. (Sig) GDP per capita GDP per capita Human Development Country (current USD) (PPP) Index 1234 Leading Western European Countries France 21.833 17.557 0,779 Germany 22.219 19.054 0,782 Sweden 30.162 20.099 0,807 Switzerland 38.332 26.765 0,829 Poorest Western European Countries Greece 9.763 13.367 0,749 Portugal 7.885 11.198 0,708 Leading Eastern European Countries Czech Rep.(Czechoslovakia) 3 901 12 731 0,762 Hungary 3 186 7 612 0,701 Russian Federation (USSR) 3 485 8 013 0,729 Slovakia (Czechoslovakia) 2 395 7 697 0,747 Slovenia (Yugoslavia) 8 671 12 392 0,769 Middle income Eastern European Countries Belarus (USSR) 1 704 5 229 Bulgaria 2 377 5 409 0,696 Poland 1 698 (1989) 6 002 (1989) 0,714 225 Journal of International Studies Vol. 8, No.3, 2015 1234 Romania 1 650 5 193 0,703 Ukraine (USSR) 1 569 6 797 0,705 Poorest Eastern European Countries Albania 639 2 843 0,609 Armenia (USSR) 636 2 416 0,632 Moldova (USSR) 972 4 152 0,645 Sources: UNDP, World Bank. Given the very diffi cult economic situation, considerable social expectations and favored by Mikhail Gorbachev - the leader of the Soviet Union the Polish authorities have taken a landmark decision to begin discussions of the Round Table and sharing the power with the opposition (elections June 4, 1989). In ac- cordance with the will of the majority of society a large part of the Polish political elite has taken action to abandon the centrally planned economy and change the geopolitical orientation of the Soviet Union (the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Poland) to the countries of Western Europe and the United States. Leszek Balcerowicz – doctor of economics and lecturer from the School of Planning and Statistics in Warsaw – took the post of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the government of Tadeusz Mazowiecki (1989-1991) and Jan Krzysztof Bielecki (1991) . With the support of Polish and foreign economists (includ- ing prof. J. Sachs) based on the recommendations of the so-called Washington Consensus was developed and it implemented program of socio-economic reforms (ie. Balcerowicz Plan). Th e aim of the action plan was to achieve macroeconomic stability, the elimination of shortages and changing the structure of the economy through privatization of state enterprises and the change in the legal system. Also continued eff orts to devel- op private entrepreneurship and create a stable banking system, which was initiated by the last communist government of Prime Minister Mieczysław Rakowski in 1988-1989. POLISH LABOUR MARKET 1988 2015 At the beginning of the transformation in 1988 polish labor market compared to other European coun- tries work was characterized by a comparable level of employment in industry and construction (36,1%), a relatively higher share of employed in agriculture (27.1%) and a relatively lower proportion of employees in services (25.8%) (Leszczyńska & Jezierski, 2010, p. 482). In the survey conducted by the Center for Public Opinion Research (OBOP) in November 1988 only 25% of respondents indicated that they may fi nd itself in a situation of loss of work, and 70% of respondents indicated that this situation is in their case unlikely. For comparison, in November 1989 46% of respondents indicated that they may fi nd itself in a situation of losing their jobs, while only 48% of respondents indicated that such a situation is unlikely for them (OBOP, 1989, p. 3). In 1991 unemployment rate hit 12.2%, which represented a signifi cant surprise to the public, which expected to maintain a typical level of unemployment for the economies of Western Europe for example 4-7 %. Contrary to the expectations of the public and the authorities from 1991 unem- ployment rate was more than ten percent. Particularly high levels of unemployment persisted in 2002-2004, when the unemployment rate was approx. 20% and the number of unemployed persons exceeded 3 million (Figure 1). Noteworthy is the fact that in the years 1989 - 2013 the number of employed decreased signifi - cantly from 17.5 million people to 14.2 million people, which was also confi rmed by the lower economic activity of the BAEL (GUS, 2014b, pp.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Role of the Balcerowicz Plan in the Successful
    60 The Romanian Journal of Society and Politics Andrzej Fąfara and Agata Kleczkowska Andrzej Fąfara HOW TO ATTAIN THE GOLDEN AGE – Warsaw School of Economics THE ROLE OF THE BALCEROWICZ PLAN [email protected] IN THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFORMATION Agata Kleczkowska Polish Academy of OF POLAND IN THE 1990S* Sciences [email protected] ABSTRACT KEYWORDS In the early 1990s Poland went through a major political transformation • transformation in Poland that completely reshaped the country. One of the key pillars of these changes • Balcerowicz Plan was the so-called ‘Balcerowicz Plan’ - an ambitious process that enabled a • economic reforms significant shift in the economic and social landscape through the introduction • Poland of fundamental changes in the Polish legal system. The thesis advanced in this • centrally planned economy paper is that the successful transformation of the state’s system of government • democracy in post-Soviet countries depended not only on democratization and political • free market changes but also required an effective program of economic reforms. This will be demonstrated by reference to the ‘Balcerowicz Plan.’ The first part discusses the transition from the former economic order in Poland to the free market order by means of the new legal norms, describing briefly the eleven legislative acts which brought wide-ranging and fundamental changes to the Polish legal system. The second part explains the impact that these reforms had on Polish society both in the short and long-term. Despite the initial problems associated with the change of the economic system, they eventually brought significant improvements to the quality of individuals’ lives. The conclusion reiterates the thesis that the successful transformation of the state’s regime in post-Soviet countries depended not only on political changes, but also on effective economic reforms.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Growth in the European Union
    LISBON COUNCIL E-BOOK Economic Growth in the European Union By Leszek Balcerowicz (principal author), Andrzej Rzonca,´ Lech Kalina and Aleksander Łaszek Growth and Competitiveness Commission* Leszek Balcerowicz (chair) Alessandro Leipold, chief economist, the Lisbon Council William W. Lewis, director emeritus, McKinsey Global Institute Pier Carlo Padoan, chief economist, OECD Holger Schmieding, chief economist, Berenberg Bank *The Growth and Competitiveness Commission is a board of senior economists working independently to produce ideas and encourage debate on growth and jobs in Europe. The work of the commission will revolve around a series of policy papers – independently authored and peer-reviewed – which will be published in 2013 and 2014. Membership in the commission does not constitute endorsement of any other member’s views or comments. LISBON COUNCIL E-BOOK Economic Growth in the European Union By Leszek Balcerowicz (principal author), Andrzej Rzonca,´ Lech Kalina and Aleksander Łaszek Leszek Balcerowicz is former finance minister (1989-1991) and deputy prime minister (1997-2000) of Poland, where he also served as the principal architect of Poland’s successful economic transformation after the collapse of communism, now commonly known as the “Balcerowicz plan.” He later served as president of the National Bank of Poland (2001-2007). The author of dozens of books and articles, he is head of the International Comparative Studies Department at the Warsaw School of Economics and chair of the Growth and Competitiveness Commission of the Lisbon Council. Andrzej Rzo´nca is a member of the monetary policy committee of the National Bank of Poland and adjunct professor at the chair of international comparative studies at the Warsaw School of Economics.
    [Show full text]
  • Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe
    Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care Eurydice and Eurostat in Europe Report 2014 Edition Education and Training Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe 2014 Edition Eurydice and Eurostat Report Education and Training This document is published by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA, Education and Youth Policy Analysis). Please cite this publication as: European Commission/EACEA/Eurydice/Eurostat, 2014. Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe. 2014 Edition. Eurydice and Eurostat Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. ISBN 978-92-9201-567-1 doi:10.2797/75270 This document is also available on the Internet (http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice). Text completed in June 2014. © Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, 2014. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged. Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency Education and Youth Policy Analysis Avenue du Bourget 1 (BOU2 – Unit A7) B-1049 Brussels Tel. +32 2 299 50 58 Fax +32 2 292 19 71 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/ FOREWORD At a time of unprecedented challenges, the importance of giving all our children a solid start by providing quality early childhood education is central to the European strategy for smart and sustainable growth, the EU 2020 strategy. In recent years, the importance of high quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) is reflected in a high volume of joint reflection on policies and programmes between the European Commission and the Member States. Since the 2011 Council Conclusions on early childhood education and care (1), there is an increasing emphasis on the importance of early years provision not only for parents' labour market participation, but also to mitigate socio-economic inequalities and most importantly for children's personal development.
    [Show full text]
  • PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS in POLAND 25Th October 2015
    PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN POLAND 25th October 2015 European Elections monitor The conservative opposition running favourite in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Poland Corinne Deloy Abstract: Just a few months after the unexpected victory of Andrzej Duda in the presidential election on 10th and 24th May last the Poles are returning to ballot on 25th October next to renew the two chambers of their parliament. All of the polls forecast victory by the main opposition party Law Analysis and Justice (PiS) in a country that is still divided between the industrial west which leans rather more to the Civic Platform (PO), a liberal party in office for the last eight years, and the east, which is more rural and closer to the conservative forces embodied by PiS Justice. The most recent poll by CBOS and published on 2014 of former Prime Minister Donald Tusk (PO) as 25th September and published by CBOS credits the the President of the European Council. However the PiS with 34% of the vote and Civic Platform with country is at a crossroads and in a month’s time will 30%. The Kukiz’15 group created by the candidate make a vital choice between two opposite paths, in the last presidential election, Pawel Kukiz, is due personified for the first time in the country’s history to come third with 9%; of the vote. The United by two women. Left (ZL) is due to win 5% of the vote – i.e. below the 8% voting threshold vital for a coalition to be THE OUTGOING GOVERNMENT IN DIFFI- represented in parliament – likewise the People’s CULTY Party (PSL).
    [Show full text]
  • Genetic Diversity in Hucul and Polish Primitive Horse Breeds
    Arch. Anim. Breed., 58, 23–31, 2015 www.arch-anim-breed.net/58/23/2015/ Open Access doi:10.5194/aab-58-23-2015 © Author(s) 2015. CC Attribution 3.0 License. Archives Animal Breeding Genetic diversity in Hucul and Polish primitive horse breeds M. Mackowski1, S. Mucha2,*, G. Cholewinski3, and J. Cieslak1 1Department of Horse Breeding, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 33, 60-637 Poznan, Poland 2Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 33, 60-637 Poznan, Poland 3Horse Genetic Markers Laboratory, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 33, 60-637 Poznan, Poland *currently at: Scotland’s Rural College Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK Correspondence to: J. Cieslak ([email protected]) Received: 26 June 2014 – Accepted: 14 November 2014 – Published: 4 March 2015 Abstract. Pedigree and molecular data were used to evaluate genetic diversity in the Polish populations of the Polish primitive horse (also known as Polish Konik) and Hucul breeds over the time period of 30 years (1980– 2011). Based on genotypes in 12 microsatellite loci (for 3865 Polish primitive horses and 1627 Huculs), as well as on pedigree data derived from over 7000 individuals (both breeds), several indices describing structure of the analysed populations were estimated. For both analysed breeds, we observed an increasing trend of inbreeding since 1980 which seems to be much more stable (oscillating around 10 % in the Polish primitive horse and 5 % in Hucul) since the beginning of 2000s when they were included in conservation programs in Poland. We observed that generally, indices related to genetic diversity are higher in the Hucul breed.
    [Show full text]
  • Download/Print the Study in PDF Format
    PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN POLAND 25th October 2015 European Elections monitor The conservative opposition running favourite in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Poland Corinne Deloy Abstract: Just a few months after the unexpected victory of Andrzej Duda in the presidential election on 10th and 24th May last the Poles are returning to ballot on 25th October next to renew the two chambers of their parliament. All of the polls forecast victory by the main opposition party Law Analysis and Justice (PiS) in a country that is still divided between the industrial west which leans rather more to the Civic Platform (PO), a liberal party in office for the last eight years, and the east, which is more rural and closer to the conservative forces embodied by PiS Justice. The most recent poll by CBOS and published on 2014 of former Prime Minister Donald Tusk (PO) as 25th September and published by CBOS credits the the President of the European Council. However the PiS with 34% of the vote and Civic Platform with country is at a crossroads and in a month’s time will 30%. The Kukiz’15 group created by the candidate make a vital choice between two opposite paths, in the last presidential election, Pawel Kukiz, is due personified for the first time in the country’s history to come third with 9%; of the vote. The United by two women. Left (ZL) is due to win 5% of the vote – i.e. below the 8% voting threshold vital for a coalition to be THE OUTGOING GOVERNMENT IN DIFFI- represented in parliament – likewise the People’s CULTY Party (PSL).
    [Show full text]
  • Newsletter ANG 251.Cdr
    POLSKA POLAND POLSKA POLAND POLSKA POLAND POLSKA POLAND POLSKA POLAND POLSKA POLAND POLSKA POLAND NEWSLETTER November 3rd, 2011 issue 251 NEWS PAIiIZ STARTS NEGOTIATIONS from the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong PAIiIZ organised the meeting to present the Korean and the Chinese province of Guangdong. The event delegation the investment potential of Poland and WITH NEW INVESTORS attracted some 1000 representatives of Polish business cooperation opportunities awaiting foreign investors in The last two weeks saw the Agency close 3 projects who are interested in investing in China. the IT sector in Poland especially possibilities connected and start talks with 4 new investors A meeting of such a scale and prestige which does help with the broadband development strategies in Eastern October 28th, 2011: the Polish Information and businesspersons establish new contacts and exchange Poland. Details of the opportunities were presented by Foreign Investment Agency supports the development ideas concerning common initiatives was for the first representatives of the Management Boards of the of 161 investment projects jointly worth EUR 6.85 time ever held in Poland. The Polish Information and regions of Świętokrzyskie, Warmia and Mazury, Podlasie billion which may generate 47 859 jobs. Foreign Investment Agency w co-organised the event and Lublin. Three projects in which the negotiation processes were was represented by the Agency's President Mr Sławomir - Poland and South Korea are similar in a number of successfully finished over the last two weeks are jointly Majman. aspects. Over the last 30 years we have made an worth EUR 2.7 million and will create 150 new jobs.
    [Show full text]
  • The Public Finance Sector Debt and Economic Growth in Poland in the Context of Financial Crisis
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE THE PUBLIC FINANCE SECTOR DEBT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN POLAND IN THE CONTEXT OF FINANCIAL CRISIS Joanna Stawska Abstract The financial crisis started in 2008 has contributed to many changes in the conduct of monetary and fiscal policy in Poland and other EU countries. In many EU countries significant decline in economic growth and problems of public finance (debt growth countries) is noticeable as a result of the crisis. The aim of this article is to highlight the changes in public finances and economic growth in Poland, in the context of financial crisis. The article verifies the first hypothesis that monetary policy has impact on the fiscal policy and finally on economic growth in Poland; and the second hypothesis that during the financial crisis were noticed simultaneously worsening situation of public finances and economic growth. Keywords: public debt, budget deficit, fiscal policy, financial crisis 1 INTRODUCTION J. Attali points out that never before the public debt did not reach so large size, in real terms and as a proportion of GDP with which we meet after the crisis 2008 - 2009 (of course outside periods of war). J. Attali also believes that so far the public debt did not constitute a threat to the political system and did not threaten the living standards of citizens, and at the same time it should be noted that the debt can not grow without causing "terrible catastrophes".1 Certainly the pursuit of a balanced budget requires a reference to the degree
    [Show full text]
  • 1 November 2019 Ten Lessons from Thirty Years of Postcommunist Economic Transformation Anders Åslund, Senior Fellow, Atlantic
    November 2019 Ten Lessons from Thirty Years of Postcommunist Economic Transformation Anders Åslund, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council, Washington, DC Email: [email protected] Abstract The dominant idea in the early postcommunist economic transition was that an early and comprehensive radical economic reform program was needed. This program was accompanied with a clear program of political economy of reform, which included a clear understanding that the old system was finished, a political breakthrough, new political leaders, new economic policymakers, the swift elaboration of a reform program, a functioning parliament, sufficient international financial support, fast implementation, public understanding, and the overruling of any need for consensus. In hindsight, all these factors worked when they were present. Critics warned of too sharp output fall, which did not come to pass, lagging institutional development, and neglect of social reforms. The biggest problem has become the absence of real property rights in the postcommunist countries not belonging to the European Union because of captured judicial systems. Keywords: Political economy, Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union, economic transition, economic institutions, property rights 1 Introduction Thirty years of postcommunist transformation allows us to draw broad lessons. In 1989, the old communist order broke down in Eastern Europe, and at the end of 1991 the Soviet Union broke up. This was a truly liberal revolution akin to 1848. This was a time of optimism and liberalism. The two leading slogans in Eastern Europe were “We want a normal society” and “We want to return to Europe.” These slogans were not specified, but together they meant a liberal democracy with a free market economy based on private ownership of the means of production and the rule of law.
    [Show full text]
  • Shock Therapy in Poland: Perspectives of Five Years
    Shock Therapy in Poland: Perspectives of Five Years JEFFREY SACHS THE TANNER LECTURES ON HUMAN VALUES Delivered at University of Utah April 6 and 7, 1994 JEFFREY SACHS is Galen L. Stone Professor of Interna- tional Trade at Harvard University, Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Institute for International Development, and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research. He was educated at Harvard University, where he received his Ph.D. in 1980. Sachs serves as an economic advisor to several governments in Latin America, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Asia, and has also been a consultant to the IMF, the World Bank, the OECD, and the United Nations Development Program. He is a member of the Harvard Society of Fellows and the Fellows of the World Econometric Society. His numerous pub- lications include Poland’s Jump to the Market Economy (1993), Macroeconomics in a Global Economy, coauthored with Felipe Larrain (1992), Peru’s Path to Recovery, co- authored with Carlos Paredes (1991), Global Linkages: Macroeconomic Interdependence and Cooperation in the World Economy, coauthored with Warwick McKibbin (1991), and Economics of Worldwide Stagflation, coau- thored with Michael Bruno (1985). The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989 and in the Soviet Union in 1991 are watershed events in world history. Naturally, the real import of these monumental events has been especially hard to judge in their immediate aftermath. Each suc- ceeding year, we gain important new perspectives on their mean- ing. This is certainly true in the economic realm, where debates about the transition from communism to market economy have been especially lively and contentious.
    [Show full text]
  • Charting a New Path for Poland Or Turning Its Back on More Than a Quarter Century of Progress? Archives of Business Research, 5(2), 20-30
    Archives of Business Research – Vol.5, No.2 Publication Date: February. 25, 2017 DOI: 10.14738/abr.52.2699. Hunter, R. J. (2017). Charting a New Path for Poland or Turning Its Back On More Than a Quarter Century of Progress? Archives of Business Research, 5(2), 20-30 Charting a New Path for Poland or Turning Its Back On More Than a Quarter Century of Progress? Richard J. Hunter, Jr. Professor of Legal Studies Seton Hall University ABSTRACT The paper analyzes the Morawiecki Plan for the Polish economy in light of its emphasis on encouraging domestic, rather than foreign, development in Poland. It discusses the critique of the current government relating to foreign ownership of assets in Poland and what the government intends to do about reversing this trend from both historical and practical perspectives. The paper includes both positive and negative assessments of these proposed changes in policy and emphasis. KEYWORDS: Balcerowicz Plan; Foreign Direct Investment; Incentives; Morawiecki Plan INTRODUCTION From the perspective of nearly twenty-eight years, it is now possible to state with certainty that despite a “propaganda of success” trumpeted by adherents to the former system of central planning (also called the command-rationing method or CRM), the economy of Poland had literally imploded by 1988-1989 because of a combination of four interrelated factors, which Hunter and Ryan (2006) have termed the “Grand Failures” of the communist system as it existed in Poland. These factors included: • Failure to create economic value or to improve
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Development Perspectives of the Elbe/Oder Chamber Union (KEO), HWWI Policy Report, No
    A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Bräuninger, Michael; Stiller, Silvia; Teuber, Mark; Wedemeier, Jan Research Report Economic Development Perspectives of the Elbe/ Oder Chamber Union (KEO) HWWI Policy Report, No. 18e Provided in Cooperation with: Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWI) Suggested Citation: Bräuninger, Michael; Stiller, Silvia; Teuber, Mark; Wedemeier, Jan (2013) : Economic Development Perspectives of the Elbe/Oder Chamber Union (KEO), HWWI Policy Report, No. 18e, Hamburgisches WeltWirtschaftsInstitut (HWWI), Hamburg This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/96625 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, If the documents have been made available under an Open gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort Content Licence (especially Creative Commons Licences), you genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. may exercise further usage rights as specified in the indicated licence. www.econstor.eu Economic Development Perspectives of the Elbe/Oder Chamber Union (KEO) Michael Bräuninger, Silvia Stiller, Mark-Oliver Teuber, Jan Wedemeier HWWI Policy Report No.
    [Show full text]