Ostatnia próba modernizacji PRL. Rząd Mieczysława F. Rakowskiego (1988–1989)
The last attempt at modernization of People’s Republic of Poland. Government of Mieczysław F. Rakowski (1988–1989)

Summary/Abstract: On 27 September 1988. Mieczysław F. Rakowski became the Prime Minister of Poland. Governing until July 1989, he took the last attempt to modernize the Communist system in Poland. A number of myths grew around the Cabinet. It is sometimes presented as a new quality in the exercise of power in Poland and the attempt to create a real political alternative to the Round Table. A detailed analysis of its creation and the formation of modernization concepts undermines, however, such interpretations. Rakowski went down in history primarily as, on the one hand, skilful propagandist and on the other – the promoter of private enterprise. He proposed a new way of governance. New – vigorous and fresh in propaganda terms but substantively no better than the governments of predecessors. Rakowski’s Cabinet proved an unsuccessful team, internally inconsistent and above all – ineffective. It failed to achieve any of its goals. The modernization of the system that was its primary task, ended in disaster and contributed to the fall of communism in Poland.

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