POLSKA - W POŁOWIE DROGI MIĘDZY PIERWSZYM A DRUGIM SKOKIEM MODERNIZACYJNYM
Loading...
Date
2009
Authors
Advisor
Editor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wydział Prawa i Administracji UAM
Title alternative
POLAND - HALF-WAY BETWEEN THE FIRST AND THE SECOND MODERNISATION LEAP
Abstract
The starting point for the discussion presented in the paper is an assumption that the first stage
of the transformations of the political system in Poland (as a transition from “real socialism” to “real
capitalism” ) has practically come to an end. Poland is nevertheless facing another phase, in which not mere stabilisation o f the newly implemented system, but securing Poland a place among the most
developed countries will be at stake.
The author analyses barriers that are currently limiting the conditions for a successful “second
modernisation leap” . The main factors are: 1) growing privatism of individuals, crisis of the “common
good” idea, and the generally low level of social capital; 2) spontaneous, bottom-up resistance to the
market efficiency logic; 3) remarkable situationism and short-time perspective of many adjustment
strategies; 4) substandard level of general education and poor education system, and 5) growing
asymmetry between the aspirations of the consumer society, also with regards the social status, and
inadequate means to satisfy them.
The paper ends with a question which segment of the society could undergo further modernisation.
In the author’s opinion it will neither be the old middle-class, that was left behind the main
stream of the transformation, nor the new middle-class, still not very numerous and encountering
various structural barriers to its development. It seems, therefore, that the burden o f further
modernisation will be put on the shoulders o f the highly diversified and specifically Polish
proto-middle class that combines selected features of the old and new middle class and the
“post-proletariat”. Consequently, further modernisation processes in Poland will be o f an “enclave”
character, selective and structurally inconsistent.
Description
Sponsor
Keywords
Citation
Ruch Prawniczy, Ekonomiczny i Socjologiczny 71, 2009, z. 2, s.423-438