The end of communism and accession to the European Union have had a huge impact on Poland. This book provides an overall assessment of the post-1989 transformation in Poland. It focuses in particular on four key themes: economic transformation and its outcomes; the heritage of the past and national identity; regional development in Poland including the implications of EU accession for regional development; and political developments both before and after EU accession. In addition the book shows how changes in all these areas are related, and emphasises the overall common themes. The book is in memory of George Blazyca, of the University of Paisley, whose work on the political economy of transition in Poland is highly regarded, and who did a great deal to support the work of Polish academic colleagues and to promote the work of young scholars.

Contents

Contents

List of figures

List of tables

Notes on contributors

Preface

Introduction

Part I Economic transformation and recent economic developments

1 George Blazyca on shock therapy and the third way

TADEUSZ KOWALIK

2 Poland’s economic development level in comparative perspective, 1950-2005

RYSZARD RAPACKI

3 Foreign direct investment and the competitiveness of Polish manufacturing

MARZENNA ANNA WERESA

4 The macroeconomic effects of fiscal and monetary policy in Poland, 1993-2005 MARIAN GÓRSKI

Part II EU accession and Polish politics

5 Party Politics in Poland after the 2005 Elections.

FRANCES MILLARD

6 Polish Experiences with European Policy Coordination 1991-2006

JOWANKA JAKUBEK

Part III History and national identity

7 Which way to Poland? Re-emerging from romantic unity.

EWA SIDORENKO

8 European Civilisation or European Civilisations: the EU as a ‘Christian Club’?: Public opinion in Poland 2005.

CLARE MCMANUS- CZUBINSKA AND BILL MILLER

9 Patonsumption. The origins and development of Polish vegetarianism

EWA KOKOSZYCKA

10 Regional identity and citizenship in Silesia

KRYSTIAN HEFFNER

Part IV Issues in regional and local development

11 Transport and economic development: comparisons and contrasts in theory, policy and practice between Poland and the UK

EAMONN JUDGE

12 EU funds in the Silesia Region in the first years after accession (2004-2006) ADAM DROBNIAK

13 The role of placemarketing in multifunctional rural development

ROBERT ROMANOWSKI

14 Business Angels in Scotland and Poland: the development of an informal venture capital market

MIKE DANSON, EWA HELINSKA-HUGHES, STUART PAUL, GEOFF WHITTAM AND MICHAEL HUGHES