Political Dissent and Opposition in Poland - by Robert Zuzowski (Hardcover)

About the Book

Political dissent in Poland after World War II had changed considerably by the early 1980s. In the 1950s and 1960s it was characterized by spontaneity and lack of strategy; the opposite held true in the 1980s. The people of Poland became highly politicized and openly acting dissident organizations, hostile toward the communist state, flourished. Robert Zuzowski presents a comprehensive portrait of the unique pattern of dissent, exemplified by the Workers' Defense Committee KOR, which finally triumphed in Poland. He examines the rise of the opposition in Poland, a country which has experienced more political crises than any other East European nation.

Zuzowski argues that KOR, by introducing an innovative approach to political dissent in Poland, contributed significantly to the transformation of Polish politics. The volume also explores dissent in Poland during the two decades prior to the formation of KOR. The reasons for the formation of the Workers' Defense Committee are analyzed and its activities from its inception until the summer of 1980 are chronicled. The author then examines the Committee's relations with the Roman Catholic Church and dissident organizations. Concluding chapters discuss KOR's formal dissolution and the organization's influence on Polish political culture. This volume will interest students of communism and/or sociopolitical change, as well as all those concerned with East European politics.

Book Synopsis

Political dissent in Poland after World War II had changed considerably by the early 1980s. In the 1950s and 1960s it was characterized by spontaneity and lack of strategy; the opposite held true in the 1980s. The people of Poland became highly politicized and openly acting dissident organizations, hostile toward the communist state, flourished. Robert Zuzowski presents a comprehensive portrait of the unique pattern of dissent, exemplified by the Workers' Defense Committee KOR, which finally triumphed in Poland. He examines the rise of the opposition in Poland, a country which has experienced more political crises than any other East European nation.

Zuzowski argues that KOR, by introducing an innovative approach to political dissent in Poland, contributed significantly to the transformation of Polish politics. The volume also explores dissent in Poland during the two decades prior to the formation of KOR. The reasons for the formation of the Workers' Defense Committee are analyzed and its activities from its inception until the summer of 1980 are chronicled. The author then examines the Committee's relations with the Roman Catholic Church and dissident organizations. Concluding chapters discuss KOR's formal dissolution and the organization's influence on Polish political culture. This volume will interest students of communism and/or sociopolitical change, as well as all those concerned with East European politics.

Review Quotes

"The book is well written, lucid, well argued and based on an excellent knowledge of all relevant material. A reader who has little or no acquaintance with recent Polish history will find in the book all necessary explanation."-Leszek Kolakowski All Souls College, Oxford

.,."an admirable contribution to the literature on Poland in the twilight of communism and to the broader field of communist and post-communist studies. Well written and documented and contains good photographs of some of the main players in the KOR-Solidarity drama, which add further to the book's attractiveness. It is highly recommended."-Australia Journal of International Affairs

?...an admirable contribution to the literature on Poland in the twilight of communism and to the broader field of communist and post-communist studies. Well written and documented and contains good photographs of some of the main players in the KOR-Solidarity drama, which add further to the book's attractiveness. It is highly recommended.?-Australia Journal of International Affairs

?A detailed, scholarly study of the dissident intellectuals who did much to prepare the way for the Solidarity revolution of 1980. Zuzowski traces the antecedents of the Workers' Defense Committee back to 1956, but features the years of activity from the Committee's formation in 1976 through 1981. The author uses this historical case to reflect on the different forms of dissent engendered in a society such as socialist Poland's and on the payoffs of different strategies pursued by dissenting intellectuals.?-Foreign Affairs

?The major strength of Zuzowski's book is a solid and detailed reconstruction of facts. It can serve then, as a basic reference source on KOR and its role in bringing down communism.?-The Polish Review

..."an admirable contribution to the literature on Poland in the twilight of communism and to the broader field of communist and post-communist studies. Well written and documented and contains good photographs of some of the main players in the KOR-Solidarity drama, which add further to the book's attractiveness. It is highly recommended."-Australia Journal of International Affairs

"The major strength of Zuzowski's book is a solid and detailed reconstruction of facts. It can serve then, as a basic reference source on KOR and its role in bringing down communism."-The Polish Review

"A detailed, scholarly study of the dissident intellectuals who did much to prepare the way for the Solidarity revolution of 1980. Zuzowski traces the antecedents of the Workers' Defense Committee back to 1956, but features the years of activity from the Committee's formation in 1976 through 1981. The author uses this historical case to reflect on the different forms of dissent engendered in a society such as socialist Poland's and on the payoffs of different strategies pursued by dissenting intellectuals."-Foreign Affairs

About the Author

ROBERT ZUZOWSKI is Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He has published numerous articles in scholarly journals in Australia, the United States, and Canada.