Political Economy of Reform in Post-Communist Poland

Janice Bell, Social Science Analyst, European Branch of the Office of Research, United States Department of State, US

'The book presents us with a wide panorama of socioeconomic changes that have occurred in Poland since the 1989 turning point together with a penetrating insight into their causes and what impact they have had on political life . . . Bell's handling of statistical data and rich material she discovers make her analyses thorough, reliable, and accurate. It also should be noted that a great merit of the book is that the author does not limit herself to mere numbers. She makes attempts at interesting interpretations, so that the reader is not at a loss for an appropriate understanding of processes that are under way here. Bell knows that numbers only manifest some social forces but do not explain them. It is a sociologist's job to do that. And, in this respect, the book fits well into the list of studies that could be called guidelines into the period of transition.'

• Contents: Introduction: Assessing Poland’s Political and Economic Transition 1. Winners, Losers, and Why it Matters for Politics 2. Public Views on the Costs and Benefits of Transition 3. Income, Unemployment and Voting in Poland 4. Regions 5. Households During Transition 6. Winners, Losers and Party Preferences Appendices Bibliography Index