Solidarity's Self-Organization: The Crisis of Rationality and Legitimacy in Poland, 1980-81
Solidarity's Self-Organization: The Crisis of Rationality and Legitimacy in Poland, 1980-81

Summary/Abstract: Perhaps the most pressing political problem of the 1980-81 period in Poland was to fit Solidarity's organization into the political and economic structure, existing or reformed. Despite numerous legal and some organizational changes after the introduction of martial law, these systems remained basically the same until after the Roundtable Talks, which faced the same organizational dilemma. The agreements reached during these talks represent some significant changes in the regime's understanding of political authority and legitimacy, showing that there had been movement towards reconciliation during Solidarity's first legal period, during martial law and the subsequent attempts at normalization. We shall not try to predict the outcome of the new changes, but will look at the organizational dilemma as it developed in 1980-81, as this kind of analysis may help to sharpen our perspective on current changes in Poland. [...]

• Details
• Contents