Changes in Class Structure in Poland, 1988–2003: Crystallization of the Winners-Losers’ Divide

• Authors: Kazimierz M. Słomczyński , Krystyna Janicka , Goldie Shabad , Irina Tomescu-Dubrow
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This paper builds on the work of Słomczyn´ski and Janicka (2005) and examines changes in the social structure in Poland, and the role of social classes on public opinion formation. The main hypothesis is that the divide between winners and losers crystallizes over time, as the social distance that separates these categories solidifies, and their reaction to economic and political transformation becomes increasingly divergent. Using data from the Polish panel survey POLPAN, conducted in 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003, we find that the main changes in the class structure in Poland occurred between 1988 and 1993. Following 1993, the patterns of the post-communist social structure start to settle, becoming, by 2003, typical of a capitalist society. Results further show substantial and significant differences between the privileged and the disadvantaged in evaluation of socialism, as well as in their subjective assessment of changes in life, and active and passive support for the institution of elections.

Keywords

EN

social classes; social status; post-communist transition; winners–losers divide; public opinion; formation; voting attitudes and behavior

• Publisher: Polskie Towarzystwo Socjologiczne
• Journal: Polish Sociological Review
• Year: 2007
• Volume: 157
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 45-64

Dates

published

2007-04-26

Contributors

author

Kazimierz M. Słomczyński

author

Krystyna Janicka

• Polish Academy of Sciences

author

Goldie Shabad

• Ohio State University

author

Irina Tomescu-Dubrow

• Ohio State University