Aleksander Laszek

Economist, graduated from Warsaw School of Economics, exchange student at Stockholm University. Currently PhD Candidate at Warsaw School of Economics, thesis “Long-term impact of banking crises on economic growth”. Researcher at Civil Development Forum, main areas: institutions and long-term economic growth, economic reform, public finance.

Think Tank News

Evaluating COVID-19 Policy Responses in Poland

BY Aleksander Laszek AND Visio Institut / October 27, 2020

COVID-19 reached Poland a few weeks later than Western Europe, to which the Polish government responded promptly by introducing a nation-wide lockdown. Administrative restrictions to constrain the spread of the virus coupled with reactions of wary consumers led to economic disruptions.

Society

How to Use Data to Fight the COVID-19

BY Aleksander Laszek, Marcin Zielinski AND FOR / May 19, 2020

Wide access to data will allow for a better understanding of the mechanisms of virus transmission and progress in the fight against the epidemic.

Review #12

REVIEW #12: Taxation of Labor and Capital in Poland: Recent Trends and Challenges

BY Aleksander Laszek AND 4liberty.eu / April 17, 2020

The majority of people around the world complain about taxes they have to pay. However, in the case of Poland, it is not only the size of the tax burden that poses a problem, but also complicated and unclear rules in place.

Review #12

REVIEW #12: What Do Good Taxes Look Like (in CEE)? [AFTERWORD]

BY Aleksander Laszek AND 4liberty.eu / April 17, 2020

Taxes come in different forms and shapes. Regardless, they all have certain consequences. The discussion about what is the optimal size of the state, and which public expenditures are justified and beneficial never tires.

Economy

Is Poland Really Developed?

BY Aleksander Laszek AND FOR / November 7, 2018

Transition of a country from the category of developing countries to developed one is a process that takes years. The change of category is a byproduct of institutional changes and accompanying increase in the level of living. Poland has been implementing reforms moving us toward market economy and democratic society since 1989. As a result […]

Review #9

REVIEW #9: State Decentralization in Poland Has Been Successful, but There Is Still Room for Improvement

BY 4liberty.eu, Aleksander Laszek AND Rafal Trzeciakowski / November 6, 2018

Decentralization in Poland was implemented in two stages – in 1990 and in 1999. The early reforms passed down central government tasks as well as some revenue-raising authority, giving it limited autonomy regarding real estate taxes, local fees, and other minor taxes.

Economy

Just 5.6 Million People Produce Half of Polish GDP

BY Aleksander Laszek, Rafal Trzeciakowski AND FOR / August 28, 2018

Apart from modern enterprises competing in international markets, there are more small enterprises of very low productivity in Poland than in developed countries. FOR estimates that half of Polish GDP is produced by at most 5.6 million people.

Economy

Poland: The Bill for Government Services in 2017

BY Aleksander Laszek AND FOR / May 16, 2018

On April 27, 2018, Civil Development Forum (FOR) presented The Bill for Government Services in 2017, which shows the structure of Poland’s government expenditures. Like every year, the current seventh edition of the campaign took place just before the tax filing deadline.

Politics

Polish PM Morawiecki’s Declarations Versus Reality

BY Aleksander Laszek, Rafal Trzeciakowski AND FOR / February 12, 2018

In his first parliamentary speech, PM Mateusz Morawiecki repeated many theses of the government. Some of them are wrong and contradict the experiences of other countries. Others, while right, stand in clear contradiction with the actual actions of the Polish government.

Review #7

REVIEW #7: Political Economy of State-Owned Enterprises in Poland

BY Aleksander Laszek AND 4liberty.eu / November 7, 2017

Huge levels of state ownership in the Polish economy negatively affects its productivity and growth prospects. Although the employment share of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in total employment of the Polish economy might seem limited (about 5%), their share among the largest, most important companies is much more significant.