Abstract This paper takes a very detailed look at the events leading up to and the reasons behind the collapse of Soviet-brand Communism in Poland. The essay begins in post World War Two Poland and then follows the adherence of the Polish people to the Catholic Church throughout the years of socialist rule. The writer looks at the creation and influence of Solidarity, the workers' union, and finally sees how changes in the Soviet Union allowed all of these factors to lead to the end of Communism.
From the Paper "As the Holy Father of the international Catholic Church lies in a state of sickness, a tracheotomy in his throat and willing caretakers and hangers-on at his side, the worldwide media is all agog, cameras outside his window looking for a wave, wire-services and websites intent on the latest information and updates. Yet, these newshounds often forget who this man they know as Pope John Paul used to be and where he is from. Karol Wojtyla, the man who would become pope twenty-five years ago, is Polish."
Abstract This paper compares the process of the collapse of Communism in the three states of Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Poland and Hungary were most successful, but for entirely different reasons.
Tags: EUROPEAN STUDIES (HISTORY, CULTURE) / EASTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA, collapsecommunismpoland
Abstract Before 1990 a labor market, in the common sense of the term, did not exist in Poland. However with the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, Poland underwent a period of great transition characterized by drastic changes in the nation's economic sphere. There are various aspects to the labor market that can help one understand the nature of these changes which have shaped Poland over the last decade. The paper examines the most notable, employment and unemployment, and their common relationship effects on job vacancies and inflation.
From the Paper "Over the last decade Poland experienced a great transformation in the size of its labor force. This transformation brought a large decline in numbers of the working population (employed) and employees (working for a wage or salary) within the civilian economy. This was attributed to the great change and re-allocation of the labor force. Levels of employment have been declining quite systematically since 1990. Many workers lost their jobs, either for a limited time or permanently. Another substantial number of workers changed employment quite rapidly, barely without a small period of unemployment between their old and new jobs. The transition also has brought a larger number of pensioners as a result of the introduction of early retirement schemes, as well as an increase in the number of disability claims. People who were afraid that they might lose their jobs had they exposed their health problems were now able to get disability status. In Poland the number of old age pensioners and disabled people increased by 1 438 000 in the period from 1990 to 1996."
Abstract There is a general consensus among historians that the collapse of the Soviet Union could not have been averted because of the inherent economic, political, and social flaws of the communist system. Ultimately, these flaws proved to be fatal, despite the efforts of Mikhail Gorbachev to reform communism through glasnost and perestroika between 1985 and 1991. More than seventy years of communist political oppression, CPSU corruption, mismanagement of the economy, and massive military spending had totally and irrevocably destroyed the legitimacy of communism in the USSR by 1991, and its collapse was inevitable. This paper looks at the historical, economic, political and sociological reasons that contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Abstract This paper analyzes the main causes of the collapse of the Soviet Union, focusing on the role of the United States in its collapse. The paper looks at the final phase of collapse in the 1980s when Leonid Brezhnev died and the other factors that impacted the collapse at that time. The paper also discusses the efforts of Gorbachev to try to stem the collapse of the Soviet Union and how his efforts failed.
From the Paper "Gorbachev realized that perestroika was bold and risky and that only time would determine its ultimate success or failure. Like Lenin, Gorbachev believed that, "sometimes you have to retreat, and then advance." But he ran out of time, in part because the new openness in the Soviet press under glasnost revealed to the Soviet people for the first time that conditions across the entire Soviet Union were shockingly bad.
"Ever since the days of Lenin, the average Soviet citizen knew that economic conditions were bad in their own village, city, or region, but the communist-controlled media prevented them from knowing that conditions were just as bad everywhere else if not even worse. Glasnost confirmed this harsh reality beyond any doubt, and created a political environment across the Soviet Union in which people were not going to tolerate communism much longer."
Abstract This paper explains why the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The explanations range from Russian history and faults in Marxist theory, to Stalin, Gorbachev, and others. It explains why the collapse was inevitable, stating that, from the beginning, Russia was isolated and backwards and that Marx never had Russia in mind for reformation. It also examines the role the U.S. played in the collapse and what the Soviet Union's leaders did wrong.
From the Paper "Even though the Soviet Union survived events such as a civil war, the Russo-Japanese war, and both world wars, it finally collapsed in 1991. This happened despite the benefits communism gave it. The failure of the USSR to remain a world superpower was attributed to many factors. Some factors include faults in Marxist theory and those of the Soviet Union's leaders. Others include Russia not being suited for communism, and external forces determined to bring down the Soviet Union."
Tags:communism, gorbachev, marx, russia, soviet, stalin, states, union, united
Abstract This paper discusses culture, environment, and marketing strategy for Ford Motor Company cars in Poland. It examines Polish history and recent events in Poland, and presents a cultural and economic profile upon which to base a marketing strategy. The paper considers Poland a viable market for Ford.
From the Paper "This report focuses on Poland a country which has experienced significant economic reforms and privatization in the wake of political changes taking place after Poland has enjoyed rapid growth in ..."
A discussion of the role of the Marshall Plan and Gunter Schabowski's press conference speech on November 9, 1989 on the collapse of the German Democratic Republic.
Abstract This paper discusses Gunter Schabowski's press conference speech on November 9, 1989 regarding travel law between East and West Germany and how this speech played a role in the beginning of the collapse of the German Democratic Republic. The paper also discusses the history leading up to the collapse of the German Democratic Republic and specifically focuses on the impact of the Marshall Plan.
From the Paper "The chain of events that followed Schabowski's speech proves that the GDR was destined to collapse. The fifty years of oppression, containment, and fear finally boiled over. The system was a failure and seemingly the people who kept it running, the policemen, the journalists, and even the politicians, were tired of fighting for a system which kept their own quality of life down. The new Soviets like Gorbachev also saw the flaws in the communist system and did not oppose those states which chose to do away with it. Thus, collectively those who had run the communist system simply stopped enforcing it and for the first time allowed a choice. It was then the peoples turn to voice their opinion and overwhelmingly they chose democracy."
Abstract This essay focusses on the different meanings of the word "communication" and text from Umberto Eco's "Travels in Hyper Reality". The text was chosen because of its use of symbols and their cultural relevance to society and culture; specifically in relation to that of the United States. The differing meanings of "communication" comes from discourses from lectures, tutorials and various readings. The interlinking of the two areas, text and "communication" meanings is presented after an examination of them separately.
From the Paper "The text 'Travels in Hyper reality' by Umberto Eco describes communication through symbols in the United States that are used in representation of various areas of society. These include a hologram of "Two very beautiful naked girls" that is displayed at the School of Holography in New York. Another symbol is Superman, the US 'superhero' and his retreat the Fortress of Solitude. This fortress is a private museum, Wunderkammer, of his life and where he came from, Kandor, Krypton. This place represents the 'ultimate' of the US to preserve past symbols."
Abstract This paper discusses the significant challenges as well as significant opportunities of Levi Strauss' entry into Poland after the break-up of the Soviet Union, and the economic and cultural opening of Eastern Europe. The appeal of the All-American image of Levi jeans, a Cold War black market item in Eastern Europe, is discussed. It examines Levi's Polska's growth in Poland where it makes up about 25 percent of the Polish jeans market.
From the Paper "As Levi Strauss makes inroads into the heart of the Polish consumer it faces the twin conditions of the entrepreneurial condition..."
Abstract This paper considers some of the values and cultural differences that are critical to understanding in order to conduct business successfully in Poland. The paper concludes that Poland and the European Union need to build personal relationships to ensure business success.
From the Paper "All business relationships require that the parties involve have an understanding of the others' needs and requirements. This can be difficult when all of the parties-suppliers, customers, shareholders, employee ..."
Tags:Poland, geography, demographics, country study
Abstract Poland is one the few transitional economies that have made a successful transition to market-based economy. This paper explores the Polish performance over the past few years.
Abstract This paper discusses how the simplest explanation for the collapse of the Soviet Union is that the system was not sufficiently stable to withhold both its own needs and the demands of an arms race. It looks at how the Soviet Union found itself attempting to produce at a very high level in order to compete with America's military output and how the demands of the Cold War itself destroyed the Soviet Union.
From the Paper "Of course, it may appear that the fall of the Communist ideal was due in large part to a change in the nature of counter-culture and communication. In the pre-Revolutionary days, intellectuals and the discontented who sought change, sought it in communism. After the revolution, change did not come quickly enough - because the nation was immediately plunged into war (which requires overproduction!) and international turmoil. When the next generation of intellectuals and the discontented was made manifest, it opposed communism - because intellectuals generally are capable of seeing the flaws in a system, and no total system appreciates having its flaws pointed out. Communication technology made such a difference in the fall of the Soviet Union because it allowed those who were discontented to express that and work together. "
Abstract This paper discusses the political and economic factors that led to Poland's Solidarity Movement. Due to overnight increases in consumer prices, specifically meat, Polish workers mobilized to protest against the Communists governments' mismanagement of resources. The paper shows that over the years the movement transformed into a political party which gained popularity in the 1990's.
From the Paper "The collapse of communism in Europe was one of the most crucial international developments of the 20th century. The move towards adopting Western political and economic systems came after the failure and mismanagement of resources of centrally planned governments. The creation of market economies in post-communist Eastern Europe was an enormous undertaking due to the overwhelming nature of the task, particularly establishing markets where none had previously existed. Shifting governance from one of communism to a democratic state was involved and affected fewer people compared to the impact of reinventing a market economy in a post-communist state. The economy is the setting in which most adults in every country spend their working lives (Weschler, para. 1982)."
Abstract This paper considers the development of democracy in former Soviet bloc countries. It focuses on how the countries of the former Soviet bloc have had to make a number of political and economic changes in a relatively short time, with most moving toward some form of free market economy and with many attempting as well to develop more democratic governments as well. The paper specifically focuses on Poland and Czechoslovakia.
From the Paper "The countries of the former Soviet bloc have had to make a number of political and economic changes in a relatively short time, with most moving toward some form of free market economy, and with many attempting as well to develop more democratic governments as well. Poland and Czechoslovakia are two such countries, and they have achieve some level of democracy to differing degrees, though each has much further to go to reach the desired end. Western-style democracy is alien to these countries, and each has adapted to it in different ways. The change came in Poland in 1990 with the dissolution of the Polish United Workers' Party (PUWP) after 41 years of one-party rule."
