"Działania przyciągające i neutralizujące”, czyli polubowne gesty władzy komunistycznej wobec społeczeństwa polskiego w latach 80.

Abstract

After martial law the authorities had to improve their image in the country and abroad. That was the reason why they made a variety of conciliatory gestures and concessions toward the public. They included limited economic reforms (even though they were inconsistent with the prevailing economic model), small changes in the political system, giving up the ideological rhetoric, improving relationship with the Church, political offers to the Solidarity opposition, concessions toward the younger generation, or getting rid of particularly unpopular politicians. Taking those actions was also a part of the political game aimed at weakening the enemy. To no avail, none of those gestures seemed to work and the desired effect was not achieved – the support for the Communist Party in Polish society was gradually diminishing to the point of lost election in 1989.