CZY SOLIDARNOŚĆ 1980–1981 BYŁA RUCHEM REWOLUCYJNYM?
WAS SOLIDARITY 1980–1981 A REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT?

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to analyse Solidarity 1980–1981 as a “revolutionary movement” or “revolution”. These terms were used almost from the beginning, both among the movement’s activists and among researchers in the humanities and social sciences. The phrase “self-limiting revolution”, coined by Jacek Kuroń and popularised by Jadwiga Staniszkis, is often quoted. Some authors link the revolutionary nature of Solidarity with the movement’s non-violent repertoire of contestation, which is expressed in terms of “non-violent revolution”, “peaceful revolution” or “Polish bloodless revolution”. The word “revolution” also appears with an appropriate adjective, emphasising the movement’s class basis or values. In this convention, Solidarity is, for example, a “workers”’ or “republican” revolution. Despite the frequent practice of calling Solidarity a revolution, few researchers have attempted to substantiate the “revolutionary” nature of the movement. Most of them have ignored the long tradition of theoretical reflection on revolution within historical sociology in this context. The author reviews the literature in which Solidarity is treated as a revolution. He points out the main ways of defining revolution and the sine qua non features of this phenomenon. He argues that the use of the term “revolution” in reference to Solidarity is a misuse and is not justified in the light of the theory of revolution.

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