Marek Tatala

Vice President and Economist at the Civil Development Forum (FOR Foundation) in Warsaw, Poland. He received his BSc in economics and politics from the University of Bristol in England and MA in economics from the Warsaw School of Economics in Poland, where he is currently a PhD student. In 2013, he completed the Winter School in Public Policy Research Methods in India and the Think Tank MBA program organized by Atlas Network. He is a graduate of the Atlas Leadership Academy.

Politics

Poland on Orbán’s Lap

BY Marek Tatala AND FOR / February 8, 2018

It is Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán who is to defend the Law and Justice (PiS) government against the consequences of violations of the rule of law in Poland. These violations have led eventually to the reactions set out in the EU treaties. The Polish ruling party can blame only itself.

Society

Poland: Decent Patriots Should Stop Marching with Racists and Nationalists

BY Marek Tatala AND FOR / November 29, 2017

I am surprised that “mostly young people and families” and other people who do not support racism, xenophobia, hatred towards “the other”, nor aggressive radical nationalism, still march with people who support these ideas. They can always celebrate the Independence Day in a different way.

Think Tank News

Europe Liberty Forum 2017: Right Ideas Require Effective Communication

BY Marek Tatala AND FOR / November 2, 2017

The conference, organized by the Atlas Network and the Hungarian Free Market Foundation, attracted over 130 participants from 34 countries, including representatives of many pro-liberty NGOs. The aim of the event was not only to deepen the knowledge and skills of the participants but also to build a network of contacts.

Economy

Economic Freedom Against Poverty and Authoritarianism

BY Marek Tatala AND FOR / October 17, 2017

We sometimes hear that the only type of liberalism we need today is “political liberalism” while classical liberal ideas in the economy can be neglected. The view that we need only political freedom, without a broad range of economic freedoms, is not isolated and requires a response.

Politics

Growing Strength of Populists: Timbro’s Authoritarian Populism Index

BY Marek Tatala AND FOR / September 18, 2017

The Swedish think tank Timbro has presented its \"Authoritarian Populism Index\". The index “aims to shed light on whether populism poses a long-term threat to European liberal democracies” (it includes the EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, and Montenegro)

Politics

Democracy and Rule of Law in Poland: U.S. Helsinki Commission Briefing

BY Marek Tatala AND FOR / August 7, 2017

On July 26, 2017, Marek Tatala, Vice-President of the Civil Development Forum, spoke at the U.S. Helsinki Commission briefing about democracy in Central & Eastern Europe, which was organized in Washington D.C. In his speech, Tatala emphasized challenges to democracy and rule of law in Poland, including independence of judiciary.

Economy

Nanny State Index in the EU: New Restrictions in Poland in 2016

BY Marek Tatala AND FOR / July 17, 2017

The European think tank network EPICENTER has published the second edition of The Nanny State Index, an indicator of state paternalism in the European Union. The index evaluates restrictiveness of regulations governing the sale and consumption of food, soft drinks, alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes in 28 EU countries in 2016.

Review #4

REVIEW #4: Economic Costs of Populism – Poland Should Learn from Greek Mistakes

BY Marek Tatala AND 4liberty.eu / April 13, 2016

The primary goal of populist politicians is to capture (or rather to “buy”) political support, win elections or keep political power. Therefore, they do not use tools necessary to bring long-term prosperity to the people but rather take advantage of whatever can guarantee them short-term political gains.

Politics

Poland After the Elections: Risk of Growing State Intervention

BY Marek Tatala / November 3, 2015

Hopefully, PiS will moderate its economic programme after the election and renounce some of its harmful pre-election promises. If the new government decides to choose the “Orbánisation” path it will be harmful for Poland, the region and the EU

Economy

Polish ‘Swiss Franc Loans’ Problem

BY Marek Tatala / July 2, 2015

The dramatic upsurge of CHF/PLN exchange rate in mid-January 2015 triggered in Poland a wave of discussion on the situation of people with mortgages in Swiss currency and who should be deemed responsible for such a state of affairs.