Copyright (c) 2009 All rights reserved. http://works.bepress.com/david_mason Recent documents in David S. Mason en-us Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:21:34 PST 3600 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/38 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/38 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:02:42 PST This paper examines the extent to which Solidarity acted as a link between the population and the regime and as a representative of the interests of the workers. It looks first at the reasons for the emergence of Solidarity, and Solidarity's subsequent embodiment of the society's desire for a political and economic order more in line with the ideals of socialism, and more genuinely representative of the workers' interests. It concludes by assessing the charges against Solidarity made by the martial law authorities, the extent of current support for the union and the regime, and the possibilities for a resolution of the stalemate. Note: Link is to the article in a subscription database available to users affiliated with Butler University. Appropriate login information will be required for access. Users not affiliated with Butler University should contact their local librarian for assistance in locating a copy of this article. David S. Mason http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/37 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/37 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:47:51 PDT The collapse of the United States as the global hegemon constitutes a "systemic revolution" that will transform both the U.S. and the rest of the globe. Such a revolution is different from "normal" political revolutions, which entail an overthrow of the government. A systemic revolution ushers in even broader and more enduring changes in economy, society and culture, and it also transcends national boundaries, affecting other countries and the global system itself. It is a global paradigm shift, and we are right smack in the middle of it. David S. Mason http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/35 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/35 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:55:35 PDT Parliaments in communist party states are usually treated in Western literature as "rubber stamp" institutions that simply approve policies made elsewhere. As such, these bodies do not perform functions of interest articulation, representation, or policy-making that are characteristic of many Western legislatures. David S. Mason http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/36 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/36 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:54:34 PDT Strikes in Poland during April and May 1988 demonstrate once again the stalemate confronting regime and populace. Although Jaruzelski cannot mobilize support for economic reforms, Solidarity also lacks the power to force the regime toward the political reforms it deems necessary for Poland's salvation. David S. Mason http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/33 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/33 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:34:35 PDT The Polish United Workers' Party, like the CPSU, has faced a dilemma in its attempts to control its growth. 1 The problem is in maintaining its leading, elite role while remaining fairly representative of the population, or at least of the working class. The difficulty in maintaining this balance has been compounded by the Party's changing image of itself and its role. David S. Mason http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/32 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/32 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:34:34 PDT If superpower push comes to shove, the Circle City ranks high on the first-strike list. Reprinted in Congressional Record, April 29, 1982. David S. Mason http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/34 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/34 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:33:48 PDT Public opinion research has changed dramatically in the last ten years in Poland, in terms of its methodology, scope, and role in political change. During the "first" Solidarity era (1980-81), the genie of public opinion was let out of the bottle, and even martial law could not entirely put it back. Public opinion polling in the 1980s became more sophisticated and more common, and began to tackle increasingly sensitive political issues. Public opinion came to play a role in the political process, and to give the Polish population a sense of its own purpose and values. It also revealed the depth of antipathy to the communist regime and leadership and, in doing so, further eroded the already fragile legitimacy of the regime. When, in the late 1980s, the regime realized it could not succeed at winning back the allegiance, or at least acquiescence, of the Polish population, it agreed to negotiate with the opposition. The result was the emergence of the first noncommunist regime in Eastern Europe. David S. Mason http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/31 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/31 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:32:18 PDT No abstract available. David S. Mason http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/30 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/30 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:43:34 PDT No abstract available. Note: Link is to the catalog entry in WorldCat's catalog. Please see your local librarian for assistance in borrowing this item via interlibrary loan. David S. Mason http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/29 http://works.bepress.com/david_mason/29 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:40:28 PDT No abstract available. Note: Link is to the catalog entry in WorldCat's catalog. Please see your local librarian for assistance in borrowing this item via interlibrary loan. David S. Mason