Adaptation through Political Crises in Post-War Poland

Evolution of the Polish political system is analyzed in this paper in terms of objective and subjective antagonisms. Firstly, 'crises' of 1956 and 1980 are compared, focusing on cyclical characters of political processes in Poland. Similarities are stressed between 1956 and 1980 upheavals with regard to demands for democracy, justice and social welfare - permanent domains of frustration. Secondly, a typical political cycle is outlined. Its eight phases are described and compared for the periods 1956-1970 and 1970-1980, from the point of view which treats them as devices for adaptation to environments undergoing both internal and external changes. Finally, a discussioa is given of factors responsible for the stability of political alienation in Poland, pointing out the main sources of the bureaucratization: genesis and the type of political system, intrinsic structural contradictions, certain properties of in stitutional structures, and deformation of politicians' and administrators' personalities.