Analysis of Poland Country - Case Study Example

Poland holds an important place in the Central part of Europe. It has got its own political, social, economic and geostrategic importance. It occupies a place between the other more influential states of Europe and in turn adds to the overall importance. Poland has a rich history in terms of art and architecture, cultural context and historic precedence. Its neighboring countries include Germany, Czech Republic, Belarus, Ukraine and Lithuania. This makes it more important in the geostrategic and global politics context. The overall population of Poland amasses to around 38 to 40 million. The people are formally called the Poles. Over three percent of the country’s territory is marked by presence of water and wet land. Its currency is Zioty. The capital city of Poland is Warsaw which is the administrative center towards the official and political activities. The official language of Poland is Polish. Poland derives a multi cultural background and existence and on account of this diversity it accommodates the Germans, the Magyars, the Ukrainians, the Silesians and Kashubians. Base on its geo strategic positioning, it was used to own benefit in the both World Wars. As a result of its vital positioning the Germans used it as a corridor towards reaching to the other states. In World War one, as well as the Second World War, it was used to penetrate into Russia. Throughout the history, Poland has undergone number of reforms in terms of form of governments and official name. At present it is formally known as the Republic of Poland, at one time it was under the Grand Duchy of Warsaw that was created by Napoleon Bonaparte (Pawly, 10). In the most ancient times it was known as Kingdom of Poland. This was towards the middle of 11th century A.D in 1025. Towards 1569 Poland joined the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It remained under this for several decades afterwards. Towards the Second World War it was formally annexed by Germany and lost its identity for a considerable period of time. After the Second World War it fell under the control of U.S.S.R. U.S.S.R wanted it under its influence due to the fact that Russia had been attacked on both occasions from the Polish borders. After the Second World War, there was contest of government formation between the Lublin Poles and the London Poles. Stalin would not allow formation of Pro Capitalist government and in turn tempered the outcome of the elections and established a pro socialist government. Poland remained under the influence of Soviet Union for the major part of the Cold War. It formally became Republic of Poland towards 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell and so did the U.S.S.R and subsequently the Cold War came to a seize. Under the present outlook, Parliamentary form of government is in Place. “Sejm” is the lower house of the parliament of Poland. Legislature of Poland is Bicameral consisting of the Upper House and Lower House respectively. Nazi Occupation of Germany: There were multiple angle to the overall annexation of Poland by Germany. One of these was to reach out to Russia through the parts that make up for the modern day Ukraine, the second was to make use of the industries and the manpower from the local community for the purpose of armament and other machinery development in the entire war. The high ups and the Intelligencia of Poland was targeted in the first step. They were deprived of their possessions and their industries were taken over forcefully. Poland was also used as a place for containment of the Jews. The massive gas chambers that were present there had been established for the purpose of bringing Jews from different parts of the Europe and were exterminated in the due course of the war. Since Poland did not have strong army neither the resources to withstand the German military might, as a result, Poland served as the save heaven against German offensive and aggressive intentions. Poland has had its history of being under the influence of Russia for a long time during the 18th and 19th century. They had been kept hostage and were kept away from their freedom movements. Towards the 1815 events after the Grand Duchy of Warsaw and Confederation of Rhine were dissolved, Russia established its influence over Poland and prevented the nationalistic movements from establishing their own government. For longer period of time Polish rose in revolt against the Tsar but every time they were crushed. Poland had to suffer and face this in the wake of Metternich’s conservative system of reactionary politics. After the First World War that ended in 1918, Poland got its freedom from the Prussian influence and on this occasion Second Republic was established. Natural resources: Apart from the geostrategic location and other important elements, Poland holds its importance in terms of the natural resources that it possesses. Minerals, Coal, petroleum, make up for few of the natural resources possessed by Poland. The shores of Baltic Sea and Adriatic coast make the land ever so fertile and most suitable for agriculture. Mining has been one of the main industries of domestic workers for considerable time. The traces can be stretched back to the middle of 13th and 14th century events and occupational lifestyles of the people. Copper, Zinc, and salt also makes up for major resources. Baltic Shelf is center of attention for the international investors who have invested in this region towards the exploration of the coal and mine from the deep down areas. Barnowko- Mstno- Buszewo is amongst one of the latest hubs that have been explored in the recent times and it promises to possess considerable amount of natural resources. Natural gas resources include Przemysl, Koscian, Cychry, Tarnograd. East Podkarpacie, Zaglebie, Gornoslaskie are few of the industrial zones that contribute towards the production industries and heavy machinery. Hard coal makes up for one of the richest repository of the Poland natural resources. Famous People: Poland has time and again produced number of intellectual, spiritual, and other influential individuals in the different domains. They have contributed in different capacity. The following are few of the most influential and world renowned individuals that have been seen through the history. Pope John Paul: Pope John Paul was significant on number of accounts. He rose to the seat of highest authority and repute by becoming the Pope of the Catholic Church. He was influential on account of the fact that he served the second longest amongst all the Popes in modern times. Another sparkling feature of his tenure and ascendency to the seat of Pope was the fact that he was the First non Italian pope in the last five centuries. The Catholic Church had seen only Pope Adrian the VI as the non Italian pope towards the middle of 16th century. His contributions also include the efforts towards freeing Poland from the Russian influence and allowing for a free and people oriented society. He therefore had the backing of Western powers. Nicolaus Copernius: Nicolaus Copernius is significant on account of the contributions he made towards the field of mathematics, science and astronomy. He gave the authentic and more updated version of the heliocentric model with reference to the universe which corrected the previously held concept of Earth being the center point in the solar system and overall solar activity and rotation. He had influence on other fields of study and disciplines as well. The famous Copernius Law is also attributed after him based on the contributions he made towards this field. Marie Curie: Marie Curie was another significant figure and individual who contributed in the dual disciplines. The concept of radio activity related to the nuclear material and radioactive agents was for the first time introduced by her; therefore she can be termed as one of the pioneers of the nuclear technology and nuclear field of study and discipline in Physics. She lived from 1867 to 1934. Another feat that she enjoys is that of being the first lady to have earned Nobel Peace Prize. Apart from the self pursuits of these inventions and physics advancements she also contributed to the academic discipline by becoming the professor in Paris University. Lech Welsa: Lech Welsa is another world famous Polish individual. He draws his popularity and fame on account of his human welfare oriented works along with the political and social development activities. He remained President of Poland straight after the end of Cold War. He also received Nobel Peace Prize on account of his contributions towards the social and global welfare of the people. He played an important role towards establishing a modern welfare state after coming out of the shackles of U.S.S.R and communist agenda. Despite his sidelining from the political front, Lech Welsa still holds repute and fame and represents Poland as a progressive entity in the global community. Fredrick Chopin: Fredrick Chopin was the name associated with Poland towards the early part of the 19th century. He was associated with the field of music and composition. He had command over his work and he produced number of items with piano and other musical instruments. Famous Places: Poland serves as station to large number of travelers and tourists who head to this part of the world everywhere. Gifted with the beautiful weather and other historically rich places, it draws tourists of all age from all parts of the world. Malbrok Castle, Main Square Krakov, Royal Castle in Warsaw, Lazienki Park, Masurian Lake District are few of the many historic places that are present in Poland and are center of attention. The Auschwitz concentration center which was used by the Nazis for the detention purposes of the Jews in the Second World War also serves as an important place where people come from far and wide and visit it to reflect on the overall situation of the actual events that took place in the Second World War. The study of geographical, political, social and historical factors of Poland provide an insight that it is richly gifted with individuals and regions and it rightly makes up for one of the centers and hubs of different activities in Europe. Economy of Poland: Poland has held its economy in stable conditions and it makes up for amongst the top ten economies of European Union. Poland was amongst the few countries that suffered the most from the destruction of the Second World War, however good policies implementation afterwards did not pull it back and it managed establishing strong economy. Its G.D.P rate is relatively stable despite the recessional trends that hit the continent. Overall Poland’s Economic Complexity index is relatively encouraging as well. on the Human Development Index, Poland shows positive values as well. Major Imports and Exports: Poland being a developing economy has its imports and exports relationship established with different countries. Its major trading partners are Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Czech Republic. Each of these contribute to 24 percent, United Kingdom contributes to 6.5 percent of the overall business contributions. Government and political structure in Poland: In Poland’s democracy the president serves as the Head of the state. Poland has a Presidential form of democracy. At present the 1997 constitution that was approved off is in practice. The tenure of President lasts for five years. A total of 560 members are elected for houses, the upper house and the lower house. The tenure of the parliamentary members is for four years period. Bronislaw Komorowski is the President of the Poland government at present. Donald Tusk is the Prime Minister of the current government. His is the representative f the Civic Platform Party. Major Political parties: Poland has an active political field that accommodates large number of political parties. Civic Platform, Law and Justice Democratic Left Alliance, United Poland, Labor united are few of the parties that actively participate in the political activities. Law and Justice party is the main party that has emerged in the recent times and they presently hold the place of opposition party. References: Pawly, Ronald. Napoleons Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard. Osprey Publishing, 2012 Read More