Poland’s Road from Socialism

WARSAW—We always knew the road from socialism was going to be thorny and hard. The political revolutions of 1989 have given the new elites no more than the means—state power— to achieving their real ends: security, democracy, and prosperity for their long-suffering nations. Only the most wide-eyed optimists could have expected that arcadia would ensue the moment the Communist hacks were ditched. Instead, erstwhile dissidents have inherited countries whose natural wealth and institutions have been run into the ground.

Under the circumstances, the Poles are doing rather well, and, so far, Finance Minister Leszek Balcerowicz’s recovery program is on track. Inflation was down to 4.7 per cent in March (compared to 80 per cent in December), the zloty exchange rate is steady, lines have disappeared at shops, and for the first time in years Polish housewives have some choice in what they can buy.

RS

About the Author

Radek Sikorski

Featured Tags

WARSAW—We always knew the road from socialism was going to be thorny and hard. The political revolutions of 1989 have given the new elites no more than the means—state power— to achieving their real ends: security, democracy, and prosperity for their long-suffering nations. Only the most wide-eyed optimists could have expected that arcadia would ensue the moment the Communist hacks were ditched. Instead, erstwhile dissidents have inherited countries whose natural wealth and institutions have been run into the ground.

Under the circumstances, the Poles are doing rather well, and, so far, Finance Minister Leszek Balcerowicz’s recovery program is on track. Inflation was down to 4.7 per cent in March (compared to 80 per cent in December), the zloty exchange rate is steady, lines have disappeared at shops, and for the first time in years Polish housewives have some choice in what they can buy.