Telling the Great Change

This groundbreaking book explores the mechanisms of adaptation to the systemic transformation in Poland post-1989, marking a first in Poland and Central Europe. It analyzes narratives from individuals born in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, each representing various social backgrounds and possessing unique professional and life experiences. Readers will encounter a comprehensive application of the biographical research methodology pioneered by Fritz Schütze through a series of case studies. This makes the publication the most thorough work employing this method to study transformation. The chapter authors highlight the subjects' individual agency, carefully steering clear of neoliberal discourse that places sole responsibility for life outcomes on individuals. Beyond examining autonomous paths of agency, the book also delves into instances where individuals lose control over their lives, exploring biographical trajectories and resources, predominantly familial, that help navigate the aftermath of systemic change more effectively.