This book considers the social, economic and political consequences
of Poland's transition from socialism to capitalism. The immense
changes that have occurred in the country over the past decade and
a half are analysed in their historical and geo-political
framework. Poland was the first Eastern European country to return
to capitalism, with its shock-therapy economic reforms replicated
throughout the region. These sought to dismantle the socialist
elements of the economy as rapidly as possible and open up the
post-socialist countries to the world capitalist market. The former
socialist countries were absorbed into the international division
of labour and their economies quickly became a part of and
dependent upon the global capitalist system. The revolutions of
1989-91 not only transformed Eastern Europe but instigated
fundamental changes to the international capitalist system itself.
By opening up the ex-socialist economies to international capital a
new era of globalisation was opened, as the principles and
practices of neo-liberalism gained ascendancy. While a section of
society prospered from this opening, other social groups saw their
living-standards decline, creating large social inequalities. One
consequence of these social divisions has been the destabilising of
the newly created democratic political systems. The growth of more
authoritarian, conservative political currents in Poland is an
example of this. As the largest and most strategically important
country in Central-Eastern Europe, Poland has increasingly become a
focus of international relations between the major powers. Events
in Poland, especially after European expansion, influence relations
between the USA, the European Union and Russia. This book therefore
looks both at how the absorption of Poland into the international
capitalist system has transformed the country and at how this
process is contributing to developments globally. It finishes by
considering developments since EU Accession and at the expected
results of this expansion both within Poland and an enlarged EU.
General
Imprint: |
I.B. Tauris
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
October 2012 |
First published: |
December 2012 |
Authors: |
Gavin Rae
|
Dimensions: |
216 x 138 x 20mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
248 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-78076-039-1 |
Categories: |
Books >
Business & Economics >
Economics >
Economic systems >
General
|
LSN: |
1-78076-039-6 |
Barcode: |
9781780760391 |
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