Public Opinion and Political Change in Poland, 1980–1982

This book draws on public opinion surveys conducted in Poland during the Solidarity era to examine popular attitudes on fundamental issues of political power and on the dramatic political events of 1980–1982.

David Stewart Mason (Author)

9780521124423, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 3 December 2009

288 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.58 kg

This book draws on public opinion surveys conducted in Poland during the Solidarity era to examine popular attitudes on fundamental issues of political power and on the dramatic political events of 1980–1982. These surveys, unprecedented for a communist regime, offer a unique portrait of the values and attitudes of a population in a society undergoing profound social, economic and political change. The study focuses on the citizens, who are often overlooked in studies of communist systems. As such, it provides a fresh look at the Solidarity experience from the public's point of view. It details the sources of support and opposition for the regime, the Solidarity leadership, and the policies of each. For example, support for Solidarity declined during 1981, but it remained strong, and there was little popular support for the hardline measures employed by the regime.

List of tables
Preface
Introduction: public opinion and politics
1. Public opinion research and politics
2. The public and policy change in the 1970s
3. Values of Polish society on the eve of August
4. 1980: causes and results
5. The rise and fall of Solidarity
6. The Party and 'renewal'
7. Solidarity and the regime at the end of 1981
8. Martial law as a response and the response to martial law
9. Conclusions
Appendix
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Political economy [KCP]