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The Collapse of Communist Power in Poland

Strategic Misperceptions and Unanticipated Outcomes

Authors: Jacqueline Hayden Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication date: 2006 Publication language: Angielski Number of pages: 194 Publication formats: EAN: 9781134208012 DOI: 10.4324/9780203027769 ISBN: 9781134208012 Category: 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 Publisher's index: 9780203027769 Bibliographic note: -

Description

Based on extensive original research, including interviews with key participants, this book investigates the sudden and unforeseen collapse of communist power in Poland in 1989. It sets out the sequence of events, and examines the strategies of the various political groupings prior to the partially free election of June 1989.


This volume argues that the specific negotiating strategies adopted by the communist party representatives in the Round Table discussions before the elections was a key factor in communism’s collapse. The book shows that on many occasions, PZPR decision-makers ignored expert advice, and many Round Table bargains went against the party’s best interests. Using in-depth interviews with major party players, including General Jaruzelski, General Kiszczak and Mieczyslaw Rakowski, as well as Solidarity advisors such as Adam Michnik, the text provides a unique source of first-hand accounts of Poland’s revolutionary drama.

TOC

  • BookCover 2
  • Half-Title 3
  • Title 9
  • Copyright 10
  • Contents 11
  • Preface 12
  • Acknowledgements 15
  • Abbreviations 16
  • 1 Introduction 18
  • 2 Explaining change 29
  • 3 Explaining the collapse of communism in Poland 50
  • 4 PZPR strategic goals 62
  • 5 Strategies and outcomes 82
  • 6 Strategies and outcomes 104
  • 7 The election campaign 125
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Author's affiliation

Jacqueline Hayden: Trinity College Dublin, Ireland