Balance of changes in Poland in the years 1989−2017 in terms of transformation, economic freedom and economic growth

Abstract

The aim of this article is to give a general overview of the political, economic and social changes in Poland between 1989 and 2017 and to identify the main short and medium term challenges for Poland. Its formulation will be based on the following indicators: transformations (Washington Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal), economic freedom (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and economic growth (GDP and GDP p.c.). The analyses presented in this article, in particular comparisons with France, Romania, Germany, the USA and the countries of the Visegrad group show that this period of the history of the Third Republic of Poland being discussed can be compared to the Glorious Thirty years which took place in the post war history of the Western Europe. In conclusion it was stated that the further development of Poland, in a short and middle time perspective, primarily depends on improving the quality of the institutional order, respect for the law and the principles of democracy as well as avoiding the middle income trap.