A lengyel társadalom, politika és képviselőválasztások sajátosságai
Polish society, politics and elections

Summary/Abstract: Numerous unique features characterize the Polish situation that emerged after 1989. In short, extreme fluctuations in the political realm have been coupled with markedly successful economic performance. If we take a closer look, there are several phenomena worthy of our attention. First, voter apathy in Poland is greatest among all the Central and East European countries. Second, the Poles do not have stable party preferences, and voters’ fickleness seems infinite – hardly comparable to the values measured in established democracies. Third, the same instability is typical on the “supply side” – in every election politicians represent different positions. Not only are there no well-organized parties, but existing parties continuously change their manifesto promises and follow them only very loosely once they enter government. In addition, they have proven incapable of establishing stable coalitions. Moreover, in this overwhelmingly agrarian and Catholic country there is neither a successful agrarian nor a Christian democratic party, while Poland was the first state in the region where the post-communists regained power. What are the reasons for all this? This is a question the author seeks to answer.

• Details
• Contents