Napięcie między wolnością i odpowiedzialnością w okresie transformacji systemowej w Polsce
The tension between freedom and responsibility in the period of system transformation in Poland

Summary/Abstract: Transition from centrally planned economy to market economy and the establishment of democratic state were a transformation from oppression in business and public actions towards political, economic, civil and personal freedomFreedom is one of the oldest ideas connected with human nature and his or her social being. Freedom is also an empirical phenomenon, which is scientifically inquired because of its importance among other values. Transition in Poland which began 25 years ago has been built upon freedom rights. It was parallel with the worldwide renaissance of liberal concepts of economic freedom and private property as well as limited functions of the state. Freedom reached ideal and empirical primacy against other values and was loosely connected with duty and responsibility. The aim of this paper is to discuss the tensions between freedom and responsibility in transition. Such tension always appears when human has a possibility of choice and action. The paper shows how tension between freedom and responsibility was manifested in the transition in Poland. Transformation to market economy was accompanied by: cognitive, pragmatical and axiological dissonance. Its result was the development of unproductive entrepreneurship, which manifested in using legal loopholes and intellectual inability of elites in accordance with the relationship between freedom and responsibility. Pressure upon external freedom perceived as fundamental value slowed ethical thought on constitutional order and the construction of institutions of responsible use of freedom.

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