Poland and Czechoslovakia on the Road to Socialism

Transitions from one economic system to another have always been painful, long-drawn-out periods in history. Those of which we have definite knowledge occupied hundreds of years. Feudalism, which preceded capitalism, took centuries to die; and even at a time when the new system was so well developed that it had all the main characteristics of capitalist enterprise and production, feudal institutions and remnants continued to exist for many years.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website

Capitalism · Communism · Economic history · Economics · Economy · Feudalism · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Socialism · Sociology · Eastern European Communism and Reforms · History · Law · Polish Historical and Cultural Studies · Post-Communist Economic and Political Transition