System transformation processes in Poland have accelerated the modernization and evolution of the public administration model. As a result of the intensification of decentralization processes, the state lost its hegemonic position. In the public sector, a significant part of the powers were taken over by local government units, and institutions of the second and third sector have become an important partner in the implementation of tasks and the provision of public services. The activity of local governments to date, which is positively assessed by the public opinion, proves the great development potential of local and regional authorities. However, the experience of recent years shows that this potential has not always been properly assessed and utilized. Underestimation of the role of local governments is demonstrated by the actions of the rulers, and the failure to recognize the challenges ahead of him political programs of the opposition.
In the times of the “First Solidarity” (1980–1981), the idea of self-government was one of thekey fragments of the socio-political system change concept. The specific connection of thebottom-up activity of the working class with the activity of the political and intellectual elitesresulted in the appearance of numerous, different models and solutions, the culmination ofwhich was the concept of “Self-governing Republic”. The central category and basic way of itsrealization was in the mechanism of self-organization of the society, and its purpose was todemocratize the political system. The change of the political situation, started by introducingthe martial law caused the slow abandonment of the earlier suggested solutions. Among thecriticism directed towards the “Self-governing Republic” there were the accusations of itsutopianism and uselessness. The concept that seemed revelatory in its time, turned out to beuseless in the new reality, but its creator ideas survived.Key words: Self-governing Republic, NSZZ Solidarity, concepts of the governmentself-organization, utopia
The systemic transformations, which began in 1989, often referred to as “Autumn of Nations’’, were unprecedented in their character. The transition from communism to democracy, from centrally planned economy to market economy together with the transformation of the State were followed by considerable changes in various aspects of social, cultural and moral life. The complexity and depth of these changes cannot be fully analysed in such a short article. However, it is worth examining the changes in people’s views and attitudes concerning their general perception of systemic transformation and the course of systemic changes. This will help to answer the question: “Was the change of political system worthwhile, according to Polish people?’’.
PL
Rozpoczęte w 1989 roku przemiany ustrojowe, zwane często „Jesienią Narodów”, miały charakter bezprecedensowy. Przejście od komunizmu do demokracji, od gospodarki centralnie planowanej do gospodarki rynkowej wraz z transformacją państwa pociągnęło za sobą istotne zmiany w różnych aspektach życia społecznego, kulturalnego i moralnego. W tak krótkim artykule nie sposób w pełni przeanalizować złożoności i głębokości tych zmian. Warto jednak przyjrzeć się zmianom w poglądach i postawach ludzi dotyczących ogólnego postrzegania transformacji ustrojowej i przebiegu zmian ustrojowych. Pomoże to odpowiedzieć na pytanie: „Czy w opinii Polaków opłacało się zmieniać system polityczny?”.
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