Concerning the Politics of Poland after l983: (Congress, borders, government)

[Vinylly]

I couldn't find any catagory on this website for this post but it does concern world politics. I hope there are some Polish people that will read my post.
I am reading James Michener's book 'Poland', which I think everyone should read: their struggle for freedom and democracy while their neighbors wanted them eliminated. The novel was published in 1983 but a lot has happened in Poland since that date. I know very little about what is happening in Poland today. Have they finally reached their goal of freedom? Have they regained their original borders? Tell me some more about Poland?

[squarian]

Originally Posted by Vinylly

Have they regained their original borders?

Define "original" in this context - when it comes to Poland, that's a complicated question. Are we talking about the 16th c. Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth? Or the House of Wettin pre-1772 borders? Or Congress Poland? Or the post-1918 First Republic? Half of what is now Poland was German-speaking provinces before 1945: Preussen, Pommern, Neumark and Schlesien.

[Vinylly]

Originally Posted by squarian

Define "original" in this context - when it comes to Poland, that's a complicated question. Are we talking about the 16th c. Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth? Or the House of Wettin pre-1772 borders? Or Congress Poland? Or the post-1918 First Republic? Half of what is now Poland was German-speaking provinces before 1945: Preussen, Pommern, Neumark and Schlesien.

I am trying to complete Michener's novel of Poland in my mind, as it ends before 1983. It has endured sense the dark ages in it's struggle for freedom. This is a very depressing novel of oppresshion. I would like to hear that today there is some happiness and joy that this country has struggled for. What kind of government do they have now?

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Vinylly

I am trying to complete Michener's novel of Poland in my mind, as it ends before 1983. It has endured sense the dark ages in it's struggle for freedom. This is a very depressing novel of oppresshion. I would like to hear that today there is some happiness and joy that this country has struggled for. What kind of government do they have now?

Wikipedia has an extensive article on Poland, as well as articles about the Cold War and related issues. Try there.