Revolt of the Incapacitated: Inter- and Intra-Organizational Consequences of the Polish Summer 1980

In: Journal of peace research, Volume 19, Issue 2, p. 143-160

Abstract

The main thesis of the paper is that the big wave of strikes during July-September 1980 in Poland can be interpreted as an opposition of society against the etatist formula of the social life forced by the authorities. A general picture of etatism is presented in the first part of the paper. Also main organizational pillars of this formula (the Party, central and local administration, business organizations, co-operatives, trade unions, youth organizations, and mass media) are analyzed. Emphasis is given to the acceleration of the processes of organizational concentration and monopolization in the 1970s. The second part of the paper is devoted to the process of refusal of this formula by Polish society; from non-cooperation to active resistance. The third part is concerned with changes in State-controlled and Party-controlled organizations and with the process of self-organization of the society. All the above-mentioned organizations are taken into account.