Tadeusz Mazowiecki. Pisma i dokumenty. Premier 1989-1990

Tadeusz Mazowiecki (1927–2013) holds a pivotal place in Polish history as the first non-communist prime minister following World War II. Recognizing his important role, efforts have begun to collate his disparate writings and related documents into an extensive multi-volume collection, documenting his extensive social and political involvement.

The featured volume focuses on Mazowiecki's time as prime minister and is divided into two segments. The first includes writings and documents from 1989 to 1990, the period during which Mazowiecki led the government or just before he did. The second section features selected later interviews and reflective articles, in which Mazowiecki defended and often provided new insights into his decisions as prime minister throughout his lifetime.

Under Mazowiecki’s leadership, Poland embarked on the challenging journey from an authoritarian regime to a democratic system and moved its economy from the clutches of inefficient systemic poverty toward a free market economy. The reforms introduced, though not flawless, were groundbreaking and initiated strategically over fifteen months, setting the stage for continued transformation across various sectors of Polish society. While these changes couldn’t be fully realized during Mazowiecki’s tenure, it was his government that frequently bore the brunt of criticism for any transitional missteps, more so than his detractors or successors.

Mazowiecki was deeply committed to the realm of values, viewing politics as a means to serve the collective good. In present times, this philosophy is rarely linked with politicians, rendering it crucial to remember that politics was once driven by different motives, and this era is not in the distant past.