| dc.description.abstract | The article discusses the activity of the „Solidarity” Independent Self-Governing Trade Union
at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin in 1980–1989. Actions taken by the said
trade union constituted evidence of the existence, in the 1980s, of a civil society, limited in
their rights but aware of those rights and ready to seek them. People gathered around the
„Solidarity” Trade Union formed a counterweight to the communist leadership team, which
sought to prevent the development of a free, informed and independent civil society in which
they perceived threat to their dominant position in the country. Public dissatisfaction with the
manner of governance by the Communist Party and the continued economic backwardness
eventually led to the creation in 1980 of Free and Independent Trade Unions, which drew from
the opposition tradition of the Workers’ Defence Committee (Komitet Obrony Robotników,
KOR), Movement for Defense of Human and Civic Rights (Ruch Obrony Praw Człowieka
i Obywatela, ROPCiO), groups gathered around underground publications as well as the
conspiracy ideas of the Home Army. Breaking the barriers of fear ultimately led to discussions
at the “Round Table”, which represented a breakthrough and initiated dialogue on the way to
an economically, socially and ideologically free society in Poland. | en |
