Evolution of the Theory and Practice of Welfare in Poland at the Turn of the 20th and 21st Centuries

Abstract

Welfare in Poland has had a fairly long history. An analysis of the transformations in its approach and practical actions in this sphere embraces the period after World War Two. It was characteristic of the Polish People’s Republic to destroy any grass-roots initiative with regards to welfare. The state closed down many charitable institutions, limited their rights to represent the citizens’ interests. Then it took over the tasks of welfare, and became its only subject. The period of a thaw and gradual rebirth of independent social organisations took place in the 1980s due to an unprecedented fall in the level of living standards and limited aid from the state. The 1990s saw further restoration and development of charitable organisations together with civic initiatives. The state had also changed its approach to welfare, as it was manifested by the law of 1990. The present welfare system has the following features:
– it is decentralised, the majority of tasks is conveyed to smaller administrative units,
– defining the social risks entitled to welfare,
– the claims of many needs,
– dismantling the monopoly of the state in welfare and its subsidiary character,
– a considerable participation of non-governmental institutions in welfare.