Leszek Balcerowicz

Polish economist, professor at the Warsaw School of Economics, MBA graduate of St. John`s University in New York, author of the economic reforms in the post-communist Poland after 1989, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the first non-communist government of Poland after the World War II, President of the National Bank of Poland (2001-2007), laureate of over 20 honorary doctorates from universities all around the world; author of more than 100 publications on economic topics issued in Poland and abroad, laureate of many prestigious Polish and international prizes and distinctions. In 2005 Leszek Balcerowicz was awarded the Order of the White Eagle – Poland’s highest distinction for his contribution in the economic and political transformation in Poland. In 2007 Leszek Balcerowicz founded The Civil Development Forum Foundation – FOR, think tank based in Warsaw. Since then he has been serving as the Board Chairman. In May 2014, in New York, Leszek Balcerowicz received one of the most internationally renowned merit Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty, granted by CATO Institute.

Society

Globalization and Its Critics

BY Leszek Balcerowicz AND FOR / November 14, 2018

In discussing the outcomes ascribed to globalization one should distinguish the symptoms from the causes. Globalization is to often blamed for the results of bad policies, especially those which hamper individuals’ adjustment to new pressures, and those which encourage them to take excessive risks.

Economy

Institutional Systems, Policies, Inequalities

BY Leszek Balcerowicz AND FOR / August 2, 2016

“Inequality” refers to very important aspects of social life. But the debate on equality is full of confusion because of its many meanings, methodological and empirical errors and very strong emotions which “inequality” evokes. Conceptual confusion includes the lack of precise distinction between the inequality of situation and the inequality of opportunity.

Economy, Politics

Poland: Towards the Black Scenario

BY Leszek Balcerowicz AND FOR / July 7, 2016

As for the parliamentary elections, I felt much more uncertain. Like many others, I took the possibility of a coalition around the Law and Justice Party into account. In this variant, the president\'s office in the hands of Komorowski became strategically important to prevent various anti-reforms (e.g. lowering the retirement age). I also did not rule out a weak coalition around the Civic Platform.

Economy

“Indictment of Capitalism”: Interview with Leszek Balcerowicz

BY Liberte AND Leszek Balcerowicz / September 8, 2015

The process of unmasking social and national etatists is an extremely vital part of our mission to improve our political system. And it has to be a ceaseless offensive. One has to fight!

Economy

Economic Freedom: Fundamentally Important and the Most Attacked

BY Leszek Balcerowicz AND FOR / May 23, 2014

Many people, both in the West and in the former socialist countries, display an attitude which I call—somewhat pointedly—“a mentality of Soviet official”. It is a generalized belief: “whatever problem there exists, only the state can solve it.” The state is perceived as a deity, i.e. an omniscient and benevolent being with unlimited resources.