Poland is trying a new approach with capitalism. Will it work?
After communism collapsed in 1989, Poland wiped its hands of socialism. Capitalism swept in, bringing fast-food chains and shopping malls. Today, the country is the EU’s sixth-biggest economy. GDP per capita has overtaken Greece’s and is catching up with Portugal’s. Yet despite this outward success, many Poles feel left behind. In response, the Polish government proposes “solidarism” – capitalism with a social face, involving more social support, especially for families – as a sort of third way. This doesn’t mean that the Polish cabinet is made up of a bunch of Corbynistas. Far from it. Though typically described as “right-wing”, the Law and Justice (PiS in Polish) party, which has