ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book addresses several issues and developments that unfold at the macro-, mezzo-, and micro-levels and influence the socio-economic process in Poland. It considers the impact of the global financial crisis and the euro area crisis on Poland and its politics, society, and economy. The book examines the specificity of Polish transition and transformation. It also examines the story of Poland’s transition and transformation to highlight the key issues that tend to be underappreciated in the popular narrative on Poland and its return to democracy and market economy. The book focuses on the two important macroeconomic issues: economic growth and openness. It explores the social effects of Poland’s European Union (EU) membership, including free movement of persons as well as the economic changes on the labor market, and some aspects relating to EU citizens’ rights.
