EN
The passing two decades have been characterised by far-reaching independence of scientific considerations from the real situation. The three main processes (deruralisation, disagrarisation and depeasantation), recognised as the key aspects of the continuing development of the rural community and agriculture, have been developing at a very slow pace or have been halted altogether. In addition, the parameters defining these processes are far worse now than they were at the close of the communist era. Thus, it is possible to claim that the so-called agrarian segment is subject to regression rather than development and that transformation means nothing else in the case of this segment than desolation. The suggested phenomenon can be considered as typical for the cycle of Polish modernisation reforms which have been characterised since the 15th century by the stigma of a 'paradox': rural community and agriculture serve as a shock-absorber of consecutive transformations, bearing the costs and negative consequences of these transformations.