Explaining the Change of the Social Order after 1989. Inspirations, Theories, Models and Diagnoses. A Review of Polish Concepts

The article is an attempt to synthesise Polish theoretical concepts explaining the systemic change, after 1989, most often referred to by the metaphor “transformation”. It discusses the research paradigms and theoretical paths that have dominated the theoretical thinking of Polish researchers about this subject. The author attempts to capture the existing links between the proposed explanations and theories of modernisation, globalisation or dependency. The article also evaluates existing theories and shows the strength of their impact. It discusses innovative concepts that go beyond the dominant theoretical currents in the literature, revealing the peculiarities of the changes taking place. The text constitutes a general overview of the concepts of the Polish system change.