Poland’s Catch 22

By Franciszek Grabowski

Warsaw, Poland

Special Analysis for the NSF

Poland is the largest ex-Eastern Bloc member of the EU & NATO, thus it is the most important country on the eastern flank of Europe. It is also a sort of capsule, reflecting the experience of the region with totalitarian German and Soviet regimes. As such, understanding problems of Poland is essential to understand the problems of the whole region, especially in the present, tense situation.

In the aftermath of the World War II, Poland suffered substantial human and material losses. Due to the actions of Germany and the Soviet Union, Poland lost at least 30% of people with higher education murdered, with a number of survivors remaining in exile. The establishment of the Communist regime meant major changes to the surviving elites. A part of them, of the leftist leanings, belonging to various factions, joined the communists in hope, they would take the lead and build a socialistic country, a thing which was not possible in free market pre-war Poland. They did not take into account one major thing – the communist system called for loyalty in the first place, and competence was far and away.

The system, in constant fear of betrayal, made several steps to secure its position, by means of party and security services, both military and civilian. The cadres for the system were simple people or even criminals, rapidly promoted, and constantly brainwashed by a small cadre in the Soviet Union. The major point was to take full control over military and police, justice system, and last but not least, art&media.

This was a sort of interim measure, however, as it was obvious a control over the education must be established, to secure cadres for the following years. Military and universities were particularly useful, as they were able to extract young people out of the influence of their families, and to brainwash them over a couple of years. The methods of taking control of universities and other institutions were quite simple. Employees were recruited as party members or secret informers, and in turn offered chances of rapid promotion. Thus less capable scientists were able to eliminate more competent old hands, and take their position for the price of loyalty.

The immediate effect was a complete economical inefficiency and poverty. This caused the population to seek chances of survival in illegal activities and the black market, which again made the economic situation worse. It was the economic situation which caused constant unrests, and forced the party to loosen the ropes, and presumably, those actions allowed the system not to get bankrupt within 20 years of rule.

The demoralization caused by the crisis hit the ruling party and secret services even harder than the rest of the population. People of the system, in the bad need of goods and currency, and in the above the law position, started to smuggle out cultural goods & collectibles or arms, and even established gangs which robbed jewelry and valuables or smuggled in cars stolen in the West Germany. Obviously, such activity needed protection from security services on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Those matters seem to remain most hidden secrets of the Cold War.

The final collapse of the system was inevitable, however. Already during the 1980s a rescue plan was established to allow the members of the system to find out in the new reality. The Spring of Nations in 1989 was spectacular, but in reality, all key positions remained in control of the ancient regime, either by their old people, or their agent network.

The so called re-introduction of the free market, turned into a farce. People were allowed to make small business, but the big companies remained in old hands, who took control of the state property, and sell it out for their benefit. In the end the industry was either dismantled or sold out to foreign investors, who usually were not interested in any development. This was possible because of new, faulty law, which promoted corruption, and was adjusted to the need of the big players. In a long term it led to economical crisis, which caused a collapse of the small business, a combined effect of rising taxes and bureaucracy, the latter being the shelter for the people of the regime, not competent enough to survive on the free market.

Any attempt to make changes in a part of the system causes violent reaction of the other parts. Even when the US passed information on corruption inflicted by a US corporation, every attempt was made to turn the case down. If corruption is targeted, then the legal system will turn those cases down. If changes in the legal system are suggested, then the media will act against it. If law enforcement shall be reformed, then both media and law will defend. And when the need of change arises, old hands adjust to the new situation, and resurface under the new colors. They do not even bother to follow the law, they have established.

The Polish economy continues to balance on the edge, and it is hard to estimate, when it falls. It could well be within days or within years. People have enough of this, but they do feel hopeless and betrayed, so more and more decide to migrate. The expected bankruptcy shall not be as violent as it was in Hungary or Greece, but it will be devastating for the region on economic and moral grounds.

Franciszek Grabowski, Msc. is an engineer, researcher, consultant, freelance journalist, living in Warsaw, Poland. The opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forum.