Editor's Note: Two worlds
There's nothing more misleading. Warsaw, like other European metropolises, is slowly becoming a 'state-within-a-state', a separate and slightly bizarre 'growth' sprouting from the body of the country it represents.
In the case of Poland, Warsaw is slowly stifling the rest of the country that, instead of growing fast along with its capital, is becoming more and more stagnant and falling into a socio-economic depression.
The centrally planned economy, one of the cornerstones of communist Poland, ideologically promoted the dominance of Warsaw. Following the 1989 transformation this 'Warsawcentrism' continued to grow in strength, although this time for different reasons.
The capital city is the sole beneficiary of foreign investments. It is here that the companies choose to operate and where you head to look for a job. The word 'career' sounds sweet only when you qualify it with the phrase: "in Warsaw."
Outside of Warsaw is a different story. Six of the European Union's poorest regions are situated in Poland. There are several Polish cites where the jobless total exceeds 40 percent.
The 2004 data released last week by the Central Statistical Office are more than daunting. It shows that the gap between the wealthiest and the poorest is deepening. One in eight Poles lives in poverty. Average household incomes and average spending are decreasing, and three million Poles remain unemployed. According to a recent report released by Transitions Online, one third of Polish citizens live on $25 (zł.82.50) or less per week.
Few really care that the strong economic situation does not translate into stable growth in terms of human development and progress towards the richer EU countries.
Disillusioned Poles may soon take a stance, turning the autumn election campaign into a bitter test of democracy. After all, millions of 'excluded' Poles enjoy voting rights. So, should the populist parties praying on the poor win the election, they might show us what it is like to govern a country divided into 'equal' and 'more equal' citizens.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-chief
In the case of Poland, Warsaw is slowly stifling the rest of the country that, instead of growing fast along with its capital, is becoming more and more stagnant and falling into a socio-economic depression.
The centrally planned economy, one of the cornerstones of communist Poland, ideologically promoted the dominance of Warsaw. Following the 1989 transformation this 'Warsawcentrism' continued to grow in strength, although this time for different reasons.
The capital city is the sole beneficiary of foreign investments. It is here that the companies choose to operate and where you head to look for a job. The word 'career' sounds sweet only when you qualify it with the phrase: "in Warsaw."
Outside of Warsaw is a different story. Six of the European Union's poorest regions are situated in Poland. There are several Polish cites where the jobless total exceeds 40 percent.
The 2004 data released last week by the Central Statistical Office are more than daunting. It shows that the gap between the wealthiest and the poorest is deepening. One in eight Poles lives in poverty. Average household incomes and average spending are decreasing, and three million Poles remain unemployed. According to a recent report released by Transitions Online, one third of Polish citizens live on $25 (zł.82.50) or less per week.
Few really care that the strong economic situation does not translate into stable growth in terms of human development and progress towards the richer EU countries.
Disillusioned Poles may soon take a stance, turning the autumn election campaign into a bitter test of democracy. After all, millions of 'excluded' Poles enjoy voting rights. So, should the populist parties praying on the poor win the election, they might show us what it is like to govern a country divided into 'equal' and 'more equal' citizens.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-chief
