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MEGA INTERVIEW
may have. Having in mind that society market think tank which I created in
transformation may take different Poland seven years ago. In democracy
shapes, what is the single most important the ultimate battle is the communication
element on that endeavor? Looking back, battle between the populists, free
what was the most important factor for marketers, business sides, whether the
Poland’s successful transition? country develops or not.
L. Balcerowicz: I think to extend What are the pillars of the Poland’s
the freedom, especially the economic economic strategy for the future? How
freedom, so that many brave and do you assess its competitiveness and the
entrepreneurial people can use their sustainability of its economic growth in
talents and character. It is extremely along run?
important. And, you create incentives
so that more people move to the L. Balcerowicz: This would depend
private sector and less to the public on politics and politics in democracy
administration. So they are more depends on the public opinion. Every
productive. And, it is advisable to do it free country has various scenarios for
very fast if possible. If you have many the future but only one of them will be
problems then comprehensive radical implemented. I am trying with some
approach is usually better. I was very other people to reduce the chances of bad
much for such an approach in Poland. scenarios, which would be no reforms,
and to increase the chances for reforms
Where does Poland stand today? scenario.
Poland is probably the most successful
economic story in Europe in the turbulent One of the key concerns in Europe
times following the global financial crisis is the youth unemployment. What do
in 2008. How do you explain this? you think will prevail in the next decade,
young Poles will leave the country looking
L. Balcerowicz: First, at those times for jobs, or there will be a reversed “brain
back, I entered with a team. As an drain”?
academic I was interested in reforms as
a hobby. I have not foreseen that Poland L. Balcerowicz: Depends on the gap
will become free during my lifetime, but I in the per capita income. People tend to
had this hobby, I was interested in various emigrate if they can have a better life and
reforms. And by chance, to be ready, a high income. If you are poor country
more or less, when Poland becomes free and you are free, you cannot stop it by
to launch radical reforms, rather fast and administrative measures. So the only
comprehensive reforms. I think this was way to reduce it over time is to grow
very important. Also in the Baltics. These faster. This is why economic growth is so
are other examples of radical reformers. extremely important. To create jobs in the
private sector so that less people would
Second, conservative monetary policy move abroad. The poorer you are the
to bring stability of prices and stable faster you have to grow. So, one cannot
banking sector. So, these are the main overestimate the importance of a fast
reasons for Poland’s success. But, let me economic growth for a poor country, it
stress that every country at some point in is just impossible. This is by far the most
time needs more reforms, even the most important national social goal. But, to
successful countries. And in Poland we grow, you need continued good policies.
need more reforms, we have to increase And, continued good policies need a lot
employment ratio, we have to improve of fight within the society. Because, it is
the business climate for investment, we easier to sell bad policies. Bad policies
have to increase the rate of growth of are usually based on emotions and
productivity. And I am trying to shape misunderstandings. For example, people
the Polish public opinion with a free
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