Polish Exceptionalism

On June 4, Poland celebrated the 25th anniversary of elections that made it the first democratic government behind the Iron Curtain. It was the revolution of steadfast determination to break the shackles of Soviet style domination.

Perseverance of a whole nation led by an unemployed shipyard electrician and the inspiration of a Polish Pope created an immutable force to rid itself of oppression without weapons or bloodshed. The transformation recognized individual freedoms of man over the conformity and tyranny of state control.

After the 1989 elections, the fledgling democracy faced unprecedented economic challenges including bankruptcy and rampant inflation. The typical inefficiencies of a socialistic system where everything was dictated by state planning and insufferable dependence on socialistic values had Poland scrambling to transform the nation into a free market of opportunities. Enthusiasm for newfound freedom outweighed the world’s speculation of economic disaster for Poland.

Now, just a quarter of a century later, Poland is indisputably the most successful economy in Europe as evidenced by not having even one down year and avoiding recession through the recent economic meltdown.

Without interruption since 1992 Poland's GDP has more than doubled and exports increased 20 fold. Per capita purchasing power is catching up to other EU countries that had decades more of economic freedom. The World Bank now classifies Poland as a high-income economy with more than 80 per cent of Poles completely satisfied with their lives, up from less than half at the beginning of transition.

Even through the darkest days of “shock therapy” (referring to the sudden release of price and currency controls, withdrawal of state subsidies, immediate trade liberalization and previously public-owned assets becoming privatized) Poland kept its eye on adopting Western style institutions, laws and social norms that had made America rich and successful during its heyday.

Poland has rightfully placed great emphasis on education. Today, more than half of young adults pass through university level studies, which is above the American and EU average. Under communism less than 10 per cent had an opportunity to peruse higher degrees. A study of literacy among 15-year-olds in 65 countries around the world measured by The Program for International Student Assessment shows young Poles beating most western European peers even though spending on education is less than half in other countries.

Reminiscent of Americas gilded age Polish entrepreneurship has flourished. Gone are the 50 years of shortages and dreaded kolejka (queue) to purchase the most menial things like toilet paper.

Today's top Polish entrepreneurs are all self-made men not born into riches having first hand knowledge of consumers thirsty for products and services unavailable during the communist era.

Poland has become the beacon of economic stability. The IMF has predicted Poland will grow more than twice as fast as Germany thus announcing the arrival of Poland's modern golden age.

Like the birth of America 240 years ago, Poland's success story attests to the strength of human aspirations for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

President Obama graciously attended the 25^th anniversary celebration in Warszawa giving a speech that was well received by the Polish people promising unwavering commitment to Poland's security. However, on his previous visit to Poland Lech Wąłesa declined to meet with our President saying in effect, “America seems to be on the road Poland struggled so hard to get off.”

The Roads to Freedom Museum in Gdańsk operated by the Remembrance Institute certainly illustrates with historically accurate documentation the differences between ideologies and roads taken. On this 25^th anniversary it is not so difficult to forget the hardships of the past when the present has provided so much increasing affluence to the Polish people making the museum a valuable national treasure.