What Europe Means for Poland

Issue Date October 2003
Volume 14
Issue 4
Page Numbers 128-136
file Print
arrow-down-thin Download from Project MUSE
external View Citation

Poland, whose citizens always considered themselves European, for more than a decade has been free to decide her own fate. Just like other European countries, we recognize the freedom of the individual, democracy, private property and tolerance as the fundamentals of civilization. Also, like the rest of Europe, we are struggling with the problems of unemployment, corruption, increasing economic inequality, and populism. We need a united and safe Europe, able to oppose international crime, terrorism and corruption. The fight against these pathologies cannot lead to the egoistic isolation form the nations of Eastern Europe and blindness to the issues that have global dimensions. We are against anti-Americanism and against the political and economic confrontation of Europe and the United States. Europe and the United States should strive to reduce world poverty, corruption and suffering.

About the Author

Adam Michnik has been editor-in-chief of the Polish daily newspaper since its founding in 1989. Previously he spent a total of six years in prison for his opposition to Poland’s communist regime, and he was part of the Solidarity team during the Roundtable negotiations that brought that regime to an end in 1989.

View all work by Adam Michnik