Background to Crisis: Policy and Politics in Gierek's Poland

The 1970s in Poland were marked by rapid social, economic, and political change that included the phenomenal expansion of Polish industry, the growth of economic ties with the West, food shortages, and substantial domestic unrest. The Polish government was faced with a large number of problems--foreign as well as domestic--that to date have not been amenable to lasting solutions. Efforts to solve one problem often have merely exacerbated difficulties in other areas. The authors of this volume examine many of the policy-related developments in Poland during Gierek's regime, from his accession to power in late 1970 to his dismissal in 1980. The book begins with an overview of Poland's recent political evolution and concludes with an analysis of the nation's status at the end of the 1970s. The chapters describe political participation and integration, the role of various groups in the Polish political process, and major policy issues facing the Polish government.