Non-Violence and the Strike Movements in Poland

Abstract

Strikes which occurred in the summer of 1980 in Poland, leading to the establishment of independent trade unions and extensions of civic freedoms, are analyzed as a successful revolutionary reform achieved through non-violent means. In 1980, mass strike actions turned out to be an effective example of a fight without the use of violence, and thus should be assessed from the point of view of the theory of non-violent action. Resulting changes could not be attained within official politics and/or methods of coercion. Processes which occurred in Poland in 1980 indicate therefore a way in which non-violent protests can be effectively employed for a deep transformation of a political system.

In this paper both factors responsible for bloody repressions of violent riots/uprisings taking place before 1980 and factors which facilitated non-violence in 1980 are analyzed, together with some consequences of the pre-1980 protest.