247, April 20, 1988), the central journal of the independent union, in order to clarify his position.
JACEK KURON
ECENTLY, I made the following statements in this publication (Tygodnik Mazowsze 240):
• A spontaneous explosion of social anger is increasingly likely.
• In the present conditions, Polish society will not benefit from this. Our situation does not see this today is blinded by a schematic perception of things. "The threat of popular
Danger"
David Warszawski has written (Tygodnik Mazowsze 243): "An opposition can fight and negotiate effectively only if it bases itself on the threat of popular anger." I like that formula because it demonstrates a political way of thinking. The effectiveness of a policy depends in fact on the relationship of forces. But a spontaneous explosion is not the appropriate way to pose this threat to the established power, because such an explosion can neither be turned on or turned off, and the government is well aware of that.
You can only push for such an explosion, thereby making it more probable. Or else you can explain to people, in particular to activists, how ineffective it would be, the risks that it involves and — more impor tantly — propose other forms of action, thereby making it less probable.
I say that we are not able today to launch a general strike. But conditions can change quickly, and such an action could prove effective. A premature explosion can deprive us of that chance. That is why I am speaking out. But I am by no means saying by this that it is necessary to wait, because a social movement cannot wait.
POLAND
Mobilizations have to be organized behind wage demands. The January 31, 1988, statement by the National Executive Committee of Solidarnosc (KKW) played an important role in this regard. Throughout the country, people are now fighting for a 12,000 zloty increase. However, the defence of living standards obviously has to be taken up in a general way — the problem cannot be resolved by particular actions.
We may be forced to call for a boycott of the municipal elections. I take no pleasure in that, because we need this school of democracy in the cities, towns, at the local level. But the government has done everything possible to discourage the society from taking part in these elections. So, let the society take part now in this boycott demonstration. It is necessary to organize the fight to defend the environment, for better working conditions, for the right to organize independently of the regime. Solidarnose organizing committees can take on most of these tasks and at the same time build the movement.
The problem is, through these reformist activities, which are not very effective in present conditions, to organize the social movement. The existence of this movement in itself makes it possible to avert spontaneous explosions. If things take a bad turn, it makes it possible to limit the damage. Finally, it makes it possible to take advantage of every opportunity that turns up. *
A new generation will, perhaps, be made even worse, and that is certainly going to cost us dear.
• These conditions are probably going to be modified by developments in the USSR and the other Eastern countries. This is why