How did the fall of communism and the subsequent transition to
capitalism in Eastern Europe affect the people who experienced it?
And how did their anger affect the quality of the democratic
systems that have emerged? Poland offers a particularly provocative
case, for it was here where workers most famously seemed to have
won, thanks to the role of the Solidarity trade union. And yet,
within a few short years, they had clearly lost. An oppressive
communist regime gave way to a capitalist society that embraced
economic and political inequality, leaving many workers frustrated
and angry. Their leaders first ignored them, then began to fear
them, and finally tried to marginalize them. In turn, workers
rejected their liberal leaders, opening the way for right-wing
nationalists to take control of Solidarity.
Ost tells a fascinating story about the evolution of
postcommunist society in Eastern Europe. Informed by years of
fieldwork in Polish factory towns, scores of interviews with
workers, labor activists, and politicians, and an exhaustive
reading of primary sources, his new book gives voice to those who
have not been heard. But even more, Ost proposes a novel theory
about the role of anger in politics to show why such voices matter,
and how they profoundly affect political outcomes. Drawing on
Poland's experiences, Ost describes lessons relevant to
democratization throughout Eastern Europe and to democratic theory
in general.
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