The Public Perception of Privatization in Poland from 1991–2014
The Public Perception of Privatization in Poland from 1991–2014

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the paper was to conduct a quantitative analysis of relations between privatization goals, their effects and results of public opinion concerning privatization. Out of several metrics of the privatization results confronted with people’s attitudes to privatization only two were statistically significant. Contrary to the first hypothesis, people’s attitudes toward privatization is not a function of periods of prosperity or economic slowdown (measured by the WIG20, and GDP growth). The only variable it is correlated to is the unemployment rate (correlation –0.6577). Obviously, opinions people form about privatization are mostly based on their personal experiences, especially those related to unemployment. The attitude towards privatization varies and depends on the proximity of the phenomenon to respondents. The changing V-shaped public attitude to privatization can lead to a conclusion that Poles seem to have passed through a learning process while transformation progressed. The process began with a great deal of enthusiasm for free market transformations, followed by disillusionment resulting from layoffs and unemployment. But then the momentum gained by the transformation process was already large enough to carry the Polish economy forward, together with people’s perception of privatization process, further on the road to economic prosperity. On the other hand, the V-shape may soon easily be easily reversed. The results of the 2015 presidential election are symptomatic here. They coincide with most recent general sentiment for statism and economic nationalism.

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