ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to examine the evolution of governmental and constitutional structures in Poland in the 1990s from the perspective of their convergence with the institutional patterns of Western Europe. In the view of this author, this process of ‘Europeanisation’ may be viewed as twodimensional and having encompassed two phases. The first dimension and phase occurred as part of the general transition to liberal democracy and a market economy, as experienced by all of the countries of East-Central Europe since the fall of communism. The second dimension and phase constitutes a process of the harmonisation of norms, institutions, procedures and policies within the acquis communitaire of the European Union (EU). This latter process also embraces the other countries of East-Central Europe just as it does Poland, but whereas the first phase may be viewed as having been a generic experience, the second has dealt with issues specific to Poland. So, whilst EU members have been seeking to create institutions and policies which facilitate the process of deepening and widening, the associated countries such as Poland have been consolidating their domestic institutions with a view to eventual membership of the union.
