Szanse i perspektywy Polski w latach 1989-1990 widziane przez pryzmat opinii „polskiego Londynu”

Abstract

Hopes, Opportunities and Perspectives. Poland 1989‑1990 seen through the Prism of “Polish London” The article discusses the approach of the Polish émigré community in London to the transformation of Poland towards democracy throughout 1989‑1990. The article focuses on journalists and activists who debated the issues in: “Dziennik Polski i Dziennik Żołnierza”, “Rzeczpospolita Polska” and “Orzeł Biały”. Research focuses on the topics surrounding the events, observations, predictions and very often fears towards the character of the political transformation as well as the direction which new elites would take. Important for contemporary commentators was also the role of the Polish Diaspora in the processes and its future place within the new structures of the new Polish Republic. Research was conducted through the analysis of majority of the sources discussing the situation in Poland as well as ongoing transition which occurred during 1989‑1990, supported by historical evidence and opinions and thoughts of émigré community leaders including: last remaining Presidents in Exile Kazimierz Sabbat and Ryszard Kaczorowski as well as the prime minister of the Government of the Republic of Poland in exile prof. Edward Szczepanik.