Poland's westernization

Ironside 53 | 12,407

1 Oct 2009 / #31

Another thing I liked about his reforms was that he opened Poland's borders to imports. 1989 was a monumental year and he had to follow through and act in kind. I think he did remarkably well but was earmarked for harsh treatment and ousted. He was a scapegoat for doing what others may not have dared to do. A black time in Polish politics when that happens.

Before opening borders, country should had been set in order and prepared.
To sell out our banking system and best industry is not what I call good deal.
He was communist party member and Fulbright stipendiary at the same time - ominous connections?:P

yeah evil westerner, but who hell helps central-eastern europe with huge subsidies? yeah the evil west.

Poland is reciving 1/3 of the subsidies given to Spain or Ireland, so you boys can stuff it !
As Poland is big marked for you western ******* :P

I dunno, is it? Asides from the EU, I mean

Same concepion of right and wrong
- beauty
- family and country
-Justice
-freedom
etc.
what differs are details, in fact Europe is that fancy about regional differences and customs due to our tribal and feudal past - its good thingy though.

People from Asia or Africa don't see much differences between Poland and western country's (except that Poland is poorer - I think).

Although in western country's there are some changes in perception of right and wrong.
Maybe in the future Poland will be depositary of the "western" values when center will rotten with so called "advancement":P

SzwedwPolsce 11 | 1,594

1 Oct 2009 / #32

I think that the old division between Western and Eastern Europe feels a strange these days. Or at least, it's something completely different than 15-20 years ago. Poland has worked hard to get into the EU. And with almost 40 mln people it will be a powerful EU-player.

And it's a huge difference if we compare the biggest Polish cities with the countryside. In some places it feels like time has been standing still.

Western Europe is a heterogeneous place. And it has also changed a lot the last 20 years.

I like the balance between Western and Eastern culture and tradition in Poland.

Seanus 15 | 19,673

1 Oct 2009 / #33

Who didn't have dubious connections back then, Ironside? I think even the Kaczyński's had some skeletons in the closet.

You have to embrace the spirit of the times, Ironside. I agree that more preparation time was needed but the time was nigh and he struck while the iron was hot.

Hmm...freedom is often limited. Conscription was a WWII idea but Poland maintained it through the decades, only ditching it last Nov. I don't think many young Polish men felt free and I've talked to quite a few about it. You created a very studious nation because of it though :)

OP mvefa 5 | 591

1 Oct 2009 / #34

-Justice

hahahaha that crack me :P

Seanus 15 | 19,673

1 Oct 2009 / #35

What's wrong with the Polish justice system, mvefa? America had/has a model system of justice but it went awry/haywire. Justice is a changing concept through the years and I don't see Poland as lagging behind. The only potential danger is too much intervention by the RCC.

gumishu 13 | 6,138

1 Oct 2009 / #36

The only potential danger is too much intervention by the RCC.

no - it's not even a potential danger Seanus - I have never seen a court verdict in Poland influenced by church pressure - I see other threats to justice here - if you don't follow Polish developments closely over longer period you are prone to not being aware of these

OP mvefa 5 | 591

1 Oct 2009 / #37

probably, althought you hear some horror stories coming from Polska, but still i mean the fact that this guy included all of those nobel characteristics to the Polish comunity was too funny, haha

Seanus 15 | 19,673

1 Oct 2009 / #38

Well, I meant it to be a future consideration if and when Poland becomes more than just Catholic. When people of other religious denominations come here then that'll necessitate change. For example, the welfare of the child is paramount in custody/access cases. The religious aspect is an important consideration in the overall evaluation of welfare. We'll see if the RCC is insipid then when justice has to be served.

Ironside 53 | 12,407

1 Oct 2009 / #39

hahahaha that crack me :P

as a concept, and we can discuss about practice application in various country's.

Conscription was a WWII idea

In Britain, conscription was widely used in many European country's well before WWII, even before WWI.
As for conscription in Poland during communism it was seen as yet another prosecution of Poles, and that sentiment towards conscription survived into the present.

Before the WWII in Poland it had been seen as a duty and must for every Pole - nobody were avoiding it!

gumishu 13 | 6,138

1 Oct 2009 / #40

althought you hear some horror stories coming from Polska

what kind of horror stories - and what is so more horrific in them than from other countries??? :P :)

Mr Grunwald 32 | 2,173

1 Oct 2009 / #41

Before the WWII in Poland it had been seen as a duty and must for every Pole - nobody were avoiding it!

brings back old good times :(

Nurglitch - | 5

1 Oct 2009 / #42

Polish westernization happened some time between X and XII century.
In late XX century most of Europe dropped the values and ideals of the western civilization, choosing instead... pretty much nothing. Poland will probably follow the same route quite soon.

Grzegorz_ 51 | 6,148

3 Oct 2009 / #43

like in Human rights, inmigration policies, rights of women, etc. which to some countries of the east block was asked to join the EU, before that they did not have them.

That's really fascinating... Could you list some of them ?

southern 74 | 7,074

3 Oct 2009 / #44

Human rights:In Poland you have much more human rights than in the neighbouring countries.
Immigration policies:Poland follws better immigration policies able to avoid being flooded by the sea of browns and blacks
Rights of women:Polish women do whatever they want without being judged