ABSTRACT
The patterns of social control among the political elites in Warsaw have begun to change under the impact of a change in the political and social environments. Opposition groups have occupied the formal positions of power that were held by the Polish United Workers' Party before 1990. The conflicting definitions and redefinitions of what constitutes moral conduct in Warsaw result in a puzzling picture. The crime rate soars, especially as far as petty crimes are concerned. Thefts and burglary rose by 200% during 1988 and 1989. Most Warsaw flats in the better areas have several locks and burglar alarms. The number of unofficial requests for assistance in administrative matters has remarkably declined. The Austrians never saw themselves as the champions of truth. In contrast, for the Poles the notion of truth is closely connected to the concept of the Polish nation.
