History /
Life in communism vs democracy in Poland [234]
What were they? And what was good about them?
Mandatory (and free) summer programs/camps for kids, like scouts in canada, designed to keep kids busy/active and off the "streets." There's more, i'll have to ask my parents.
low crime: nothing valuable enough to steal
There's always something to steal. People always stole under communism because often times it was difficult to buy some goods. For example, construction sites were targeted for tools, building supplies/concrete. Many poles built houses during the commie era using stolen goods:)
But crime isn't limited to stealing. Although i did not make myself clear, I meant crime as in violence. My parents always talk about how there were no dangerous neighbourhoods when they were growing up. Today there are areas in most cities where even police are afraid to enter.
no unemployment: many people had unfulfilling jobs provided by the state, and often the state chose your career path for you
True, and many workplaces had more employees than required which actually decreased efficiency/productivity. But at least everyone had a JOB and didn't have to worry about putting food on the table.
The state chose people's career paths?? Where did you hear this? I've never heard anyone in my family talk about this, as far as i know it was their choice.
same standards for all: in theory only, like I said the CP members were the elite and they generally had the law on their side (or a judge here and there who would look the other way because they were "connected").
True. But you should also realize that this still exists to some degree. Many things can be arranged "po znajomosci" (with connnections) in today's poland.
