Towards a Corporatist Solution in Eastern Europe: The Case of Poland
Towards a Corporatist Solution in Eastern Europe: The Case of Poland
Author(s): David OstSubject(s): National Economy, Economic history, Political history, Economic policy, Government/Political systems, Economic development, Post-War period (1950 - 1989)
Published by: SAGE Publications Ltd
Keywords: Eastern Europe; Poland; political history; totalitarian system; socialism; political changes; corporatism; private entrepreneurship; free market; market economy;
Summary/Abstract: East European dissidents frequently argue that the system they oppose is "totalitarian," even while their very activities undercut the validity of this claim. This apparent contradiction, between the belief that the system is totalitarian and the simultaneous possibility of opposition activity, which most theories of totalitarianism would exclude, comes about because prevailing theories of totalitarianism have erroneously focused on empirical characteristics. I believe, however, that totalitarianism is better understood as a tendency--one that is essential to the state socialist project, and yet at the same time one whose object is impossible to achieve. [...]
Journal: East European Politics and Societies
- Issue Year: 03/1988
- Issue No: 01
- Page Range: 152-174
- Page Count: 23
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF