Poland’s Sustained “March to a Market Economy”: The Choice Between Competing Visions and Plans

Abstract

This article is a study in contrasting economic philosophies. It describes the economic program instituted by Minister of Finance Leszek Balcerowicz in 1989 and the series of incentives initiated within Poland to attract foreign direct investment. The article then discusses the changes in economic and social policies brought about by Minister Mateusz Morawiecki as important policy perspectives brought by the election victory of Law and Justice (PiS) in 2015. The article then discusses key aspects of the Polish market and outlines both opportunities and challenges for the future.