Eastern Europe

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Eastern Europe ~ United States ll~~ Department of " Agriculture Eastern Europe Economic Research Service Supplement 3 to WAS-27 Review of Agriculture in 1981 and Outlook for 1982 Eastern Europe: Review of Agriculture in 1981 and Outlook for 1982. East Europe-USSR Branch, International Econem­ ics Division, Economic Research Service. Supplement 3 to WAS 27. Approved by the World Agricultural Outlook Board. ABSTRACT Agricultural production in 1981 increased slightly from the depressed 1980 level but continued well below the records set in the late seventies. Corn, sugar beet, potato, and tobacco production increased,, wheat production fell, and oilseed production remained at about the previous year's level. Meat produc-~ tion fell 4 percent. The value of U.S. agricultural exports to the region fell by nearly a quarter to $1.8 billion and further declines are expected in 1982. Keywords: Eastern Europe, Poland, Romania, crops, livestock, trade, credit. FOREWORD The agricultural situation in Eastern Europe deteriorated sharply in 1981. In Poland, shor­ tages of fertilizer, seeds, plant protection agents, and machinery spare parts were widely reported in the spring. Feed supplies were insufficient to support animal herds. Agricultural policy re­ forms followed the formation of Rural Solidarity, but before these reforms could take effect, deterioration in the general economy, shortages of foreign exchange, loss of confidence in the pro­ curement system, and finally, in the zloty itself, set the stage for the imposition of martial law in December. Further deterioration in the food situation is a clear possibility. In Romania, severe food shortages led to the imposition of rationing late in the year. In Czechoslovakia, shortfalls in production of grain and forage crops have led planners to conclude that a reduction in animal herds is preferable to the continued drain on foreign exchange for large grain imports. In most of Eastern Europe, the official policies implemented or reemphasized in 1981 call for reducing dependence on imported grain. Thomas A. Vankai directed and coordinated preparation of this report. Sections were written by Edward Cook, Robert Cummings, and Thomas A. Vankai. Sonya Glenn assisted in the compila­ tion of statistical data. Information submitted by the U.S. Agricultural Counselors and Attaches in Belgrade, Berlin, Bucharest, Vienna, and Warsaw is acknowledged with appreciation. Statistical data in this report are taken from the yearbooks of the respective countries or from the yearbooks of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance. Data on Albania are so scarce that Albania is not covered here. The International Economics Division's program of agricultural situation and outlook analysis and reporting includes the following regularly scheduled publications: the World Agricultural Si­ tuation and Outlook, published thl'ee times annually; regional reports on Asia, Africa, China, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Soviet Union, Western Europe, and the Western Hem­ isphere; the Foreign Agricultural Trade of the United-States, published bi-monthly; the Food Aid Needs and Availabilities Report, published semi-annually; and the Outlook for US. Agricultural Ex­ ports, published quarterly. Information on obtaining these publications is included in this report. We welcome any comments, suggestions, or questions concerning either this report or the' current agricultural situation in Eastern Europe. Responses should be directed to the East Europe-USSR Branch, International Economics Division, Economic Research Service, USDA, Room 314, 500 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250. Our telephone number is 202-447- 8380. Anton F. Malish, Chief East Europe-USSR Branch International Economics Division Washington, D.C. 20250 June 1982 CONTENTS Page Summary Slowdown in Economic Growth To Continue . 1 Grain Production Down Slightly . 2 Wheat Output Declines Sharply . 3 Marketing and Distribution Problems Acute . 3 Fall Plantings Increased . 4 Oilseed Production Continues at Record Levels . 4 Oilseed Product Consumption Peaks . 4 Planting Intentions Show Little Change . 4 Performance of Other Major Crops Improves . 5 Sugar Beet and Sugar Production Up . 5 Potato Production Recovers . 5 Tobacco Production Rises . 5 Cotton Production Up Marginally . 5 Livestock Inventory Stable; Meat Production Declines . 6 Inventories Show Little Change . 6 Livestock Product Production Down . 6 Growth in Meat Consumption Halted . 6 Producer Prices Raised . 6 Private Sector Supported . 6 Moderate Growth Expected . .. 6 Foreign Trade Balance Improves; Financial Situation Deteriorates . 7 Trade Balance Improves . 7 Agricultural Trade Balance Negative . 7 Financial Situation Deteriorates . 8 Credit Difficulties Influence 1981 Commodity Trade . 8 U.S. Agricultural Trade with Eastern Europe Declines . 9 Agricultural Commodities Dominate U.S. Trade . 9 CCC Credit Use Up; Food Aid Extended to Poland . 10 1982 Outlook 11 Agricultural Policies Aim for Self-Sufficiency . 12 Local Management Authority Upgraded . 12 Fertilizer Use Stationary . 12 Prices Higher . 12 Private Production Encouraged . 12 Features Poland Faces Uncertain Future in Agriculture ••• 0. 0 •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 0 ••••••••••• ' ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 14 Agricultural and Trade Problems in Romania ......................................................................... 17 Tables 1. Production of grains, Eastern Europe, annual 1972-81 . 20 2. Area of grains, Eastern Europe, annual 1972-81 . 22 3. Production of selected crops, Eastern Europe, annual1972-81 . ..
Recommended publications
  • NINE DAYS THAT CHANGED the WORLD - Study Guide
    -1- NINE DAYS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD - Study Guide Introduction (p. 2) A Message from Newt and Callista Gingrich (p.3) ACTIVITY 1 Story of Pope John Paul II and Nine Days That Changed the World (p. 6) Who was Pope John Paul II (born Karol Wojty_a)? What happened in June 1979 that changed the world? Why is it worth studying? ACTIVITY 2 WHO’S WHO AND WHAT’S WHAT (p. 9) God the Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Mary Mother of God, Pope John Paul II, President Ronald Reagan, Lech Walesa, Margaret Thatcher, Anna Walentynowicz, Cardinal Stefan Wyszy_ski, Edward Gierek, General Wojciech Jaruzelski, Leonid Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev, Father Jerzy Popieluszko, Father Franciszek Blachnicki, Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów, Icon of Black Madonna, Soviet Union, KGB, Cold War, Nine Year Great Novena, Millennium of Polish Christianity ACTIVITY 3 Timeline – 1000+ year history of Christianity in Poland (p. 14) ACTIVITY 4 Fundamental Nature of Man (p. 18) Materialist Vision of Man – Communism Imago Dei – Man is Created in the Image of God – Christianity ACTIVITY 5 Nine Day Pilgrimage to Poland (June 2-10, 1979) (p. 20) ACTIVITY 6 Change after Pilgrimage: Spiritual Renewal and the Rise of Solidarity (p. 23) ACTIVITY 7 Revolutions of 1989 (p. 47) ACTIVITY 8 Victory of the Cross (“Overcoming Evil with Good”) (p. 51) ACTIVITY 9 Memory and Identity (p. 54) ACTIVITY 10 A Future Worthy of Man (p. 58) Lesson Plans for Educators (p. 60) Cast of Nine Days that Changed the World (p. 70) ____________________________________ DRAFT: November 10, 2010 (Updated versions of this Nine Days that Changed the World Study Guide may be downloaded at -2- Introduction On November 9, 1989, the most visible symbol of totalitarian evil, the Berlin Wall, tumbled down.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Feminisms Comparative Case Studies of Women's
    GLOBAL FEMINISMS COMPARATIVE CASE STUDIES OF WOMEN’S ACTIVISM AND SCHOLARSHIP SITE: POLAND Transcript of Agnieszka Graff Interviewers: Sławomira Walczewska and Beata Kozak Location: Wiśniowa Date: June 12, 2005 Translated by: Kasia Kietlińska eFKa Women’s Foundation Skrytka Pocztowa 12 30-965 Krakόw 45, Poland Tel/Fax: 012/422-6973 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.efka.org.pl Acknowledgments Global Feminisms: Comparative Case Studies of Women’s Activism and Scholarship was housed at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan (UM) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The project was co-directed by Abigail Stewart, Jayati Lal and Kristin McGuire. The China site was housed at the China Women’s University in Beijing, China and directed by Wang Jinling and Zhang Jian, in collaboration with UM faculty member Wang Zheng. The India site was housed at the Sound and Picture Archives for Research on Women (SPARROW) in Mumbai, India and directed by C.S. Lakshmi, in collaboration with UM faculty members Jayati Lal and Abigail Stewart. The Poland site was housed at Fundacja Kobiet eFKa (Women’s Foundation eFKa), Krakow, Poland and directed by Slawka Walczewska, in collaboration with UM faculty member Magdalena Zaborowska. The U.S. site was housed at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan and directed by UM faculty member Elizabeth Cole. Graduate student interns on the project included Nicola Curtin, Kim Dorazio, Jana Haritatos, Helen Ho, Julianna Lee, Sumiao Li, Zakiya Luna, Leslie Marsh, Sridevi Nair, Justyna Pas, Rosa Peralta, Desdamona Rios, and Ying Zhang.
    [Show full text]
  • The CIA and the Polish Crisis of 1980–1981
    DaviesTheCIA and the Polish Crisis of 1980–1981 Review Essay The CIA and the Polish Crisis of 1980–1981 ✣ Douglas J. MacEachin, U.S. Intelligence and the Confrontation in Poland, 1980–81. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2002. 256 pp. $45.00. Downloaded from http://direct.mit.edu/jcws/article-pdf/6/3/120/696027/1520397041447346.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 The dramatic events of 1980–1981 in Poland began a process that led over the next decade to the end of the Cold War and the breakup of the Soviet Union. The crucial event in the Communist cession of power in Poland in 1989 was the failure of martial law after it was imposed in December 1981 by General Wojciech Jaruzelski, who was then serving simultaneously as prime minister, defense minister, and ªrst secretary of the Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR—the Communist party). Douglas MacEachin devotes his book to the events of 1980–1981 as seen from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He is eminently qualiªed to do so. During the crisis, MacEachin was the senior ofªcial at the CIA who was most familiar with the course of day-to-day developments in Poland and with the intelligence reports of Colo- nel Ryszard J. Kukliñski, a key ofªcer on the Polish General Staff, who kept the United States informed about the Polish government’s efforts to combat the independent trade union, Solidarity.1 The events of 1980–1981 have been extensively reported on, analyzed, and reanalyzed. MacEachin singles out as authoritative three eyewitness ac- counts written in the early to mid-1980s by men on the ground: Nicholas An- drews, Neal Ascherson, and Timothy Garton Ash.2 Andrews was deputy chief of mission at the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Of Post-Communism" Michael D. Kennedy
    "The End to Soviet-type Society and the Future of Post-Communism" Michael D. Kennedy CSST Working CRSO Working Paper #67 Paper #458 October 1991 THE END TO SOVIET-TYPE SOCIETIES AND THE FUTURE OF POST-COMMUNISM~ Michael D. Kennedy Soviet-type societies are gone. The system that'bnald Reagan called "the evil empire" exists no more. 'The first big step toward their dissolution came in 1980-81, when the Solidarity movement in Poland built the first civil society in a system where communists ruled the state. Civil society had been understood as that set of public social relations with legally constituted autonomy from the state, but Poland's civil society was made in spite of state law and the wishes of the authorities. This Polish civil society was forced underground when martial law was introduced in December of 1981, but it survived over the decade to return to negotiate the end to communist political monopoly in 1989. Solidarity's return to the public sphere was, however, preceded and in-fact enabled by another major step toward the end of Soviet-type society. -In 1987, after nearly two years of trying to modify the Soviet system, Mikhail Gorbachev initiated radical reforms with revolutionary consequences. His policies of perestroika and glasnost' throughout the USSR and the societies it dominated in Eastern Europe moved both authorities and opposition to contemplate changes more fundamental than anyone before even dared imagine. In 1988 and 1989, party and state authorities and leading members of the opposition in Hungary and Poland negotiated a gradual transition away from communist rule.
    [Show full text]
  • Domestic Politics Comes First—Euro Adoption Stretegies in Central Europe
    Domestic Politics Comes First—Euro Adoption Stretegies in Central Europe: The Cases of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland By Assem Dandashly License, Lebanese University, 2000 M.A., Lebanese American University, 2004 A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the Department of Political Science © Assem Dandashly, 2012 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This dissertation may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopying or other means, without the permission of the author. Domestic Politics Comes First—Euro Adoption Stretegies in Central Europe: The Cases of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland By Assem Dandashly License, Lebanese University, 2000 M.A., Lebanese American University, 2004 Supervisory Committee Professor Amy C. Verdun, Supervisor (Department of Political Science) Professor Colin J. Bennett, Departmental Member (Department of Political Science) Professor Oliver Schmidtke, Departmental Member (Department of Political Science) Professor Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly, Outside Member (School of Public Administration) Professor Mitchell P. Smith, Additional Member (University of Oklahoma, Department of Political Science) ii Supervisory Committee Professor Amy C. Verdun, Supervisor (Department of Political Science) Professor Colin J. Bennett, Departmental Member (Department of Political Science) Professor Oliver Schmidtke, Departmental Member (Department of Political Science) Professor Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly, Outside Member (School of Public Administration)
    [Show full text]
  • Übergang Zur Marktwirtschaft Am Ende Des 20. Jahrhunderts
    Südosteuropa - Studien ∙ Band 54 (eBook - Digi20-Retro) Iván Berend (Hrsg.) Übergang zur Marktwirtschaft am Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts Verlag Otto Sagner München ∙ Berlin ∙ Washington D.C. Digitalisiert im Rahmen der Kooperation mit dem DFG-Projekt „Digi20“ der Bayerischen Staatsbibliothek, München. OCR-Bearbeitung und Erstellung des eBooks durch den Verlag Otto Sagner: http://verlag.kubon-sagner.de © bei Verlag Otto Sagner. Eine Verwertung oder Weitergabe der Texte und Abbildungen, insbesondere durch Vervielfältigung, ist ohne vorherige schriftliche Genehmigung des Verlages unzulässig. «Verlag Otto Sagner» ist ein Imprint der Kubon & Sagner GmbH. iván Berend - 978-3-95479-732-5 Downloaded from PubFactory at 01/11/2019 09:43:34AM via free access SÜD OSTEUROPA-STUDIEN herausgegeben im Auftrag der Südosteuropa-Gesellschaft von Walter Althammer iván Berend - 978-3-95479-732-5 Downloaded from PubFactory at 01/11/2019 09:43:34AM via free access 00063447 Transition to a Market Economy at the End of the 20th Century • # Übergang zur Marktwirtschaft am Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts Eleventh International Economic History Congress Session A-3, September 12-17, 1994, Milano Edited by Ivan T. Berend Südosteuropa-Gesellschaft iván Berend - 978-3-95479-732-5 Downloaded from PubFactory at 01/11/2019 09:43:34AM via free access Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München Die Deutsche Bibliothek - CIP-Einheitsaufnahme Transition to a market economy at the end of the 20th century Übergang zur Marktwirtschaft am Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts / Eleventh International Economic History Congress, session A-3, September 12-17, 1994, Milan, Italy. Ed. by Ivan T. Berend. Südosteuropa-Gesellschaft, München. - München : Südosteuropa-Ges., 1994 (Südosteuropa-Studien ; Bd. 54) ISBN 3-925450-44-0 NE: Berend, Ivan T.
    [Show full text]
  • The Martial Law Was Inevitable on December 1981 in Poland?
    Revista de Științe Politice. Revue des Sciences Politiques • No. 68 • 2020: 99 - 107 ORIGINAL PAPER The Martial Law Was Inevitable on December 1981 in Poland? Tudor Urea1) Abstract: On 1980-1981 the Polish United Workers' Party (Polska Zjednoczona Partia Robotnicza, PZPR) endured a significant crisis. It could not cope to the increase popularity of “Solidarity” movement, the first independent trade union in a Soviet Bloc countries, which quickly becomes a social movement, a symbol of hope and an embodiment of the struggle against communism and Soviet domination which demands the reforms from the government. Solidarity Movement will cause serious damage to the image and the power of the Polish United Workers' Party (Polska Zjednoczona Partia Robotnicza, PZPR). The Polish United Workers' Party (Polska Zjednoczona Partia Robotnicza, PZPR) was undermined even inside by the appearance of the horizontal structures, the comrades who joined the Solidarity Movement though they did not leave the party. The Party was divided by internal fights. Poland’s economy had fall. The Soviet Union interests were deeply affected and it threat with armed intervention. In the leadership of the government and in the leadership of the Polish United Workers' Party (Polska Zjednoczona Partia Robotnicza, PZPR) are placed in key positions people in uniform prepared to act within Poland and who are loyal to the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union chose to act through these men to regaining the control on Poland and the rehabilitation of Polish United Workers' Party (Polska Zjednoczona Partia Robotnicza, PZPR). On December 13, 1981, the Martial Law introduced by General Wojciech Jaruzelski stopped the opposition in order to gain more authority in Poland.
    [Show full text]
  • Page 1 1 T H E F a L L O F T H E I R O N C U R T a I N
    THE FALL OF THE IRON CURTAIN A HISTORICAL MISTAKE? A documentary by Franck Cuveillier and Annette Gourdon 1 PRODUCER’S NOTE ovember 2019 will mark the 30th She is fluent in Russian and in German. anniversary of the fall of the Berlin For this project, they decided to focus on Wall and of the collapse of communist N four countries, all of which suffered from regimes throughout Eastern Europe. Yet, the Iron Curtain and underwent popular new migration phenomenons today bring uprisings that were quelled by Russia: East Europe to question its borders once again. Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and For 37 years (1952-1989), millions of Poland. Most of the shooting will take place European citizens lived behind an actual in these countries, especially along the line of Iron Curtain, made of over 5,000 miles the former Iron Curtain. Additionally, several of walls and fences preventing them from interviews will be led in Paris and in Moscow. crossing to the West without their country’s formal authorization. It seems interesting As we only have so much time to see this to us to shed light on this specific period in production through, we have decided to European history, at a time when European approach two TV channels, in Poland and nations are reconsidering the 1985 Schengen in Belgium, which already own archives Agreement signed by Western Europe. from that time: TVP and RTBF, respectively. A team from the latter, for example, filmed The goal of this film is to tell the story of the East Germany, Poland and Russia in 1987, Iron Curtain that sliced Europe in half, with aboard a train traveling from Brussels to distance and perspective.
    [Show full text]
  • Quarterly, Volume XXV Research Journal 27
    Quarterly, Volume XXV (October-December) Research Journal 27 (4/2020) Volume Editor Grzegorz Rosłan HSS Journal indexed, among others, on the basis of the reference of the Minister of Science and Higher Education in The Central European Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (CEJSH), ERIH PLUS, DOAJ and Index Copernicus Journal Master List 2019. Issued with the consent of the Rector Editor in Chief Publishing House of Rzeszow University of Technology Lesław GNIEWEK EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Grzegorz OSTASZ Deputy of Editor-in-Chief Justyna STECKO Editorial assistant El żbieta KURZ ĘPA Associate Editors Eugeniusz MOCZUK, Tadeusz OLEJARZ, Marta POMYKAŁA Grzegorz ROSŁAN, Beata ZATWARNICKA-MADURA, Dominik ZIMON Scientific Board Alla ARISTOVA (Ukraine), Heinrich BADURA (Austria), Guido BALDI (Germany) Aleksander BOBKO (Poland), Zbigniew BOCHNIARZ (The USA), Viktor CHEPURKO (Ukraine) Zuzana HAJDUOVÁ (Slovakia), Wilem J.M. HEIJMAN (The Netherlands) Tamara HOVORUN (Ukraine), Paweł GRATA (Poland) Beatriz Urbano LOPEZ DE MENESES (Spain), Aleksandr MEREZHKO (Ukraine) Nellya NYCHKALO (Ukraine), Waldemar PARUCH (Poland), Krzysztof REJMAN (Poland) Annely ROTHKEGEL (Germany), Josef SABLIK (Slovakia), Mykoła STADNIK (Ukraine) Anatoliy TKACH (Ukraine), Michael WARD (Ireland), Natalia ZHYHAYLO (Ukraine) Statistical editor Tomasz PISULA Language editors E-CORRECTOR Magdalena REJMAN-ZIENTEK, Piotr CYREK Volume editor Grzegorz ROSŁAN (Poland) Project of the cover Damian G ĘBAROWSKI The electronic version of the Journal is the final, binding version. e-ISSN 2300-9918 Publisher: Publishing House of Rzeszów University of Technology, 12 Powsta ńców Warszawy Ave., 35-959 Rzeszów (e-mail: [email protected]) http://oficyna.prz.edu.pl Editorial Office: Rzeszów University of Technology, The Faculty of Management, 10 Powsta ńców Warszawy Ave., 35-959 Rzeszów, phone: 17 8651383, e-mail: [email protected] http://hss.prz.edu.pl Additional information and an imprint – p.
    [Show full text]
  • Wesołego Alleluja! Happy Easter! Newsmark Biden Travels to Time-Honored Handiwork Warsaw in Show DZWINEL MARIAN PHOTO: TARGET SHOOTER INCITES INVESTIGATION
    POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • APRIL 2014 www.polamjournal.com 1 APRIL 2014 • VOL. 103, NO. 4 $2.00 PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT BOSTON, NEW YORK NEW BOSTON, AT PAID PERIODICAL POSTAGE POLISH AMERICAN OFFICES AND ADDITIONAL ENTRY ESTABLISHED.1911 www.polamjournal.com CULTURE-IN-ExILE LEGEND JOURNAL NINA POLAN PASSES DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN CULTURE PAGE.27 Wesołego Alleluja! Happy Easter! NEwSMARK Biden Travels to Time-Honored Handiwork Warsaw in Show PHOTO: MARIAN DZWINEL TARGET SHOOTER INCITES INVESTIGATION. There of Support was foul play in Sochi, says Polish biathlete Krystyna Pal- ka, who says her brand new rifl e had been “tampered with.” Russian Aggression in The Polish team had been on track for a medal and Palka did indeed win the fi rst leg of the biathlon relay. Palka’s Ukraine Puts West on Alert shooting had always been her strongest suit, but she missed WARSAW (Polskie Ra- all fi ve targets plus two out of three of the penalty targets, dio) — U.S. vice-president shutting off all hope of a medal win for the Polish team. Joe Biden has said that fur- Palka remains adamant in saying that someone tam- ther sanctions will be im- pered with her rifl e sights. posed by the United States The Polish biathlete represented Poland at the 2006 and and European Union after 2010 Winter Olympics and won the silver medal at the President Putin signs a treaty 2013 World championships. to bring Crimea into the Rus- The Polish Biathlon Association is proceeding with an sian Federation.
    [Show full text]
  • When Reality Fails: Science Fiction and the Fall Of
    Kociatkiewicz, Jerzy and Monika Kostera (2002) “When reality fails: Science fiction and the fall of communism in Poland.” In: Mihaela Kelemen and Monika Kostera (eds.) Managing the Transition: Critical Management Research in Eastern Europe. Palgrave, 217-238. When Reality Fails: Science fiction and the fall of Communism in Poland Jerzy Kociatkiewicz Graduate School for Social Research Institute of Philosophy and Sociology Polish Academy of Sciences [email protected] Monika Kostera Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management And Warsaw University [email protected] When the walls fell When the Martial Law was enforced on December 13th, 1981 in Poland, after the Solidarity rebellion that lasted for almost one and a half year, it felt like all hope was being buried forever. The system, once again, proved that it was invincible. The massive popular movement, which had reached 10 millions of members at its peak, was shattered during the following years; the leaders were, once again, imprisoned, censorship tightened anew, and the people subjected to a new wave of unbearably self-righteous propaganda. Its main rhetorical style was named panswinism by Michal Głowiński (1992): „we are all swine,” no one is honest, Party people are swine, but so are the heroes of the Solidarity rebellion. There is no hope. Communism was here to stay and most people tended to believe that is was permanent; some voiced the belief that it might perhaps end in 100 years. And then, in 1989, the state TV started to show glimpses of a remarkable event: the so-called „round-table talks”. Representatives of the opposition and Party officials 1 met and discussed possible scenarios for the future.
    [Show full text]
  • A Critique of Hans-Hermann Hoppe's Thesis on Lesser Harmfulness Of
    A Critique of Hans-Hermann Hoppe’s Thesis on Lesser Harmfulness of Monarchy than Democracy Una crítica a la tesis de Hans-Herman Hoppe sobre el menor carácter lesivo de la monarquía frente a la democracia Jacek SierpińSki Independent Scholar [email protected] Recibido: 06/10/2015 Aceptado: 03/07/2016 Abstract The aim of this paper is to critically analyse the thesis of Hans-Herman Hoppe that although any government – taken as a territorial monopolist in the field of ju- risdiction and tax imposition – is an organisation harmful both from the economic and ethical point of view since it violates property rights in an institutionalised and legal manner, exploiting private owners and contributing to the process of “decivili- zation,” yet the monarchy is less harmful than any democratic state. The ultimate point is to prove that Hoppe’s assumption on lower time preference of the governing monarch is not sufficient to conclude that monarchy is less respon- sible for violating property rights and that it contributes to the process of “decvilizia- tion” less than democracy. Keywords: Hans Herman Hoppe, democracy-monarchy comparison, economic freedom. Resumen El propósito de este trabajo es analizar críticamente la tesis de Hans-Herman Hoppe según la cual, si bien cualquier forma de gobierno –tomado como un mo- nopolista territorial en el terreno de la jurisdicción y de la imposición fiscal– es una organización lesiva tanto desde el punto de vista económico como ético, puesto que viola los derechos de propiedad de manera institucionalizada y legal, explotan- Res Publica. Revista de Historia de las Ideas Políticas 521 ISSN: 1576-4184 Vol.
    [Show full text]