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Hello!
Mar 4, 2013 20:42:41 GMT -7
Post by trotamundos on Mar 4, 2013 20:42:41 GMT -7
Hello!
Before I begin my presentation I would like to apologize for my horrible english.
I am a spanish student of anthropology. I love the culture, literature and history of every country in the world. And here I have the opportunity to meet the social, economic and politic context of Poland, a country nearly unknown to me right now. I would also like to participate in discussions on any topic of culture and try to answer any question that you would like to ask me about my country.
I have been very lucky to find this forum. Saludos a todos!
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Mar 4, 2013 23:04:17 GMT -7
Post by Jaga on Mar 4, 2013 23:04:17 GMT -7
Hello Trotamundos,
Bienvenido to the forum Polonia. I think Spanish people and Polish people have lots in common in spite of the fact that we are on the other ends of Europe (excluding Russia). I was in Spain last year and I was surprised to see how many Russian people live in some MEditeranean areas of Spain. I also met some Polish people there. I was born in Poland and I spent there my first 30 years of my life, I live in the US now. Majority of us have some European or rather Eastern european roots. So, please, ask us what you want to know.
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Hello!
Mar 5, 2013 6:29:04 GMT -7
Post by trotamundos on Mar 5, 2013 6:29:04 GMT -7
Yes! The spanish mediterranean coast is full of Russians. They usually work in the real estate because the Spanish currently have no money to buy apartments (after crack of housing bubble in 2007 = 27% of Spaniards are unemployed), so try to attract wealthy Russian (oil barons, luxury merchants, rich businessmen...) because they leave a huge amount of money. Even now the advertising boards on the streets are only written in Russian The ignorance of Spain with respect to Eastern European countries is due to blood ties with Latin America and North Africa. Sadly we have focused our concerns only in these territories. There are many questions that occur to me about your country: What relationship between Poland with his neighboring countries? What languages are spoken in Poland (assuming the Polish )? Are nationalist conflicts happening nowadays? What do you think of communism and what influence of religion now? What's your opinion of Spain? Forgive me if it seems a questionnaire. It's exciting to know a country that has given birth to great men like Copernicus, Irena Sendler, Marie Curie or Chopin.
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Mar 5, 2013 7:36:30 GMT -7
Post by Eric on Mar 5, 2013 7:36:30 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum! ¡Bienvendidos!
I'll try to give some brief answers to your questions.
Poland generally has good relationships with its neighbors, especially Germany. The exceptions are Russia and Belarus. Poland has tried to inspire Western-oriented revolutions in Belarus (as in Georgia and Ukraine), but has failed. Reasons why Poland hates Russia go back centuries, and the problem, sadly, will probably never be resolved.
Since the end of WWII especially, Poland has been a pretty homogenous state. Polish is the language of pretty much everyone, though it's possible to hear languages from neighboring countries spoken near the borders. However, after WWII there were major population shifts, so that pretty much everyone who wasn't Polish was expelled. As a result of Poland's new post-war western border, all of the Germans were expelled from the country. As a result of its new eastern border, Poles living in lands that were transferred to Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine were repopulated further to the west and Soviet citizens moved to these former Polish lands.
It's hard to define nationalism in Poland, since it's such a homogenous country. Actually, Poland is working hard to establish itself in the European Union, so international cooperation is very important for Poland. Also, Poland is one of the strongest allies in Europe of the United States. Especially when George W. Bush was president, some would say that Poland had a blind obedience to the U.S. to thank America for its support during the Cold War and after.
Of course, communism is extremely unpopular among most Poles. The few exceptions are generally from the older generation who miss the stability and the guarantees in life... even though, compared to other former socialist countries in Europe, Poland really didn't have all that much stability. It was plagued with poor management throughout its entire socialist existence.
The Catholic church remained very important to Poles even during the years of socialism when the state tried to proclaim atheism according to the writings of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin. And Poles were, of course, very proud that their own John Paul II became pope. Since the end of socialism in 1989, the Catholic church has become a very powerful institution, which is why the country is very conservative on issues such as homosexuality and abortion. Before 1989, abortion was available on demand to mothers who didn't want to give birth - it was, in fact, the most common method of birth control. Today, Poland is among the most difficult EU countries in which to get an abortion. Very recently the Polish anti-communist hero Lech Walesa made very homophobic statements, saying homosexuals should have no place in society or government. Even in very conservative Poland, this may have seriously damaged his reputation.
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Hello!
Mar 5, 2013 9:51:46 GMT -7
Post by trotamundos on Mar 5, 2013 9:51:46 GMT -7
Thanks for the reply, it is very interesting what you're telling me.
I am quite surprised. The vision we have in Spain is that Poland and Germany have a strong rivalry as a result of Second World War.
You think that the entry of Poland into the European Union was good for your country? The Mediterranean nations (Portugal, Spain, Greece) are being suffocated by the policy of Germany (EU leader). Perhaps the proximity to central Europe acts positively to Poland.
I agree with you about communism. I think that communism is a left-wing fascism that has bled many countries.
Regarding the issues of abortion and homophobia, in our government (right wing) has recently appeared a minister saying that homosexuality is a disease because it not ensures the survival of the human species (a theory rather absurd when our planet is overpopulated). Fortunately, people have a progressive mindset with this issue and accepts the sexual tendencies of each person.
I am personally against abortion, but not by imposition of Catholicism. I think the individual conscience is above the conscience of a religion. I think that is irresponsible not to use contraception if they do not want children. Here many young girls have abortions as if it were an innocent game.
There is one point that I find very interesting. Why do you think the relationship with Russia and Belarus is irreconcilable?
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Mar 5, 2013 11:08:00 GMT -7
Post by Jaga on Mar 5, 2013 11:08:00 GMT -7
I love Eric ;D, but his views are Russia-centered Poland's relationships with Russia/Soviet Union and Germany were not good until 80s. There was lots of resentment after WW II towards Germany. It is not true that Poland-German relationships were ever good until recently. When I was growing up in Poland we watched movied about wars and play wars as kids all the time. In 80s we started talking more openly about Soviet and communistic influence and then German occupation became more and more forgotten. I did not realize that people in Spain know so little about Poland. We did not know that much, until a couple of years ago also. In high schools we could chose between English, German and French to learn (after learning Russian obligatory since 5th grade). Spanish was not there, but I met Poles who made carreers by knowing Spanish. In 80s I also realized how Spanish language is important. EU was good for Poland, lots of infrastructure was built. We can blame Germany as having lots of influence in Europe, but they gave lots of money to other countries and did not ask for anything in order to take care of Eastern Germany.
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Mar 5, 2013 11:17:55 GMT -7
Post by Jaga on Mar 5, 2013 11:17:55 GMT -7
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Mar 5, 2013 13:17:22 GMT -7
Post by karl on Mar 5, 2013 13:17:22 GMT -7
Hello! Before I begin my presentation I would like to apologize for my horrible english. I am a spanish student of anthropology. I love the culture, literature and history of every country in the world. And here I have the opportunity to meet the social, economic and politic context of Poland, a country nearly unknown to me right now. I would also like to participate in discussions on any topic of culture and try to answer any question that you would like to ask me about my country. I have been very lucky to find this forum. Saludos a todos! Trotamundos Please accept my welcome to the forum. For I see you are comfortable with the good people here and are involved with various subjects with others.. I see you are Spanisch and live in the good land of Spain. As Jaga, my self have in past some very excellent visits to your very fine and nice warm country. I think perhaps we will have much to exchange in time, for in far past, I lived and worked in both Argentine and Uruguay for an uncle in Buenos Aires and on the family Estancia in Uruguay, now at present, in Mexico. As you see, I am not Polish, but German in this stead. For as you see, the forum is well represented by both European and American. It is a good and healthy mix, in this manner, I believe you will prosper very well.. Karl
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Mar 5, 2013 13:31:47 GMT -7
Post by Eric on Mar 5, 2013 13:31:47 GMT -7
I am quite surprised. The vision we have in Spain is that Poland and Germany have a strong rivalry as a result of Second World War. Poland and Germany have mended their differences because of World War II. Germany has been a major economic donor to Poland, and, during the Cold War, there was the "common enemy" of the USSR. You think that the entry of Poland into the European Union was good for your country? Poland has been one of the strongest economic countries in terms of growth and avoiding the financial crisis in the European Union. Certainly, it is performing much stronger than other countries, such as Greece, Portugal, Latvia, and Lithuania. I agree with you about communism. No we don't. I'm a member of the Communist Party USA. Besides, communism and facsism are very different things. There is one point that I find very interesting. Why do you think the relationship with Russia and Belarus is irreconcilable? Poland will always consider Russia to be an aggressor who wants to conquer and control Poland. Russia will always consider Poland to be a bully who doesn't want to play fair. As for Belarus, Poland has made it very clear that it is 100% against Lukashenko and wants to install a pro-Western and anti-Russian regime in Belarus. Both Russia and Belarus are angry because of that.
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Mar 5, 2013 14:31:38 GMT -7
Post by pieter on Mar 5, 2013 14:31:38 GMT -7
I'm a member of the Communist Party USA. Besides, communism and facsism are very different things. Eric, This is interesting. You are an American Communist who is a member of the American communist party. You lived, studied and worked in the Russian Federation. You are an atheist, believe in a Plan economy, Democratic centralism, Marxism-Leninism, a one party system, class struggle and the unity of all proletarians. You believe in the the development and creation of an international communist society through the leadership of a vanguard party presiding over a revolutionary socialist state that represents a dictatorship of the proletariat. Marxism–Leninism is a far-left ideology based on principles of class conflict, egalitarianism, dialectical materialism, rationalism, and social progress. It is anti-bourgeois, anti-capitalist, anti-conservative, anti-fascist, anti-imperialist, anti-liberal, anti-reactionary, and is opposed to bourgeois democracy. Additionally, Marxism–Leninism opposes certain aspects of other forms of Marxian socialism, including left communism and council communism, as well as certain aspects of non-Marxist socialist movements, such as anarchism and syndicalism. The Marxist-Leninist state utilizes a state socialist economy, based on scientific planning and democratic consensus. It supports public ownership and organisation of the economy through the abolition of private ownership of land and the means of production, which become common property utilised by the people through the state. In the past, it typically replaced the role of market in the capitalist economy with centralized state management of the economy, which is known as a command economy. However in recent decades an alternative Marxist-Leninist economy that exists is the Socialist market economy that has been used by the People's Republic of China and the socialist-oriented market economy in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. How today do you want to establish a Socialist state, socialist economy, and an American socialist system in a country (the USA) which never has had a communist majority party and socialism. In fact most Americans reject socialism and communism. Ar you not living and working in the wrong country? Isn't Cuba, North-Korea, Venesuela or Vietnam a better place for you to live, if you are a communist and believe in a Socialist system and state? And what kind of communism do you support? The Marxist-Leninist Sovjet version (after and before Stalin), Stalinism, Trotskism, Titoism or Eurocommunism. TrotskyismTrotskyism is the theory of Marxism as advocated by Leon Trotsky. Trotsky identified as an orthodox Marxist and Bolshevik-Leninist, and supported founding a vanguard party of the working-class. His politics differed sharply from those of Stalinism, as he opposed the idea of Socialism in One Country. Trotsky still supported proletarian internationalism, and an authentic dictatorship of the proletariat based on working-class self-emancipation and mass democracy. He believed that a bureaucracy developed under Stalin after Lenin's death. V. I. Lenin and Trotsky were close both ideologically and personally during the Russian Revolution of 1917 and its aftermath, and some call Trotsky its " co-leader". However, Lenin criticized Trotsky's ideas and intra-Party political habits. Trotsky was the paramount leader of the Soviet Red Army in the direct aftermath of the Revolutionary period. Trotsky originally opposed some aspects of Leninism. Later, he concluded that unity between the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks was impossible, and joined the Bolsheviks. Trotsky played a leading role with Lenin in the revolution. Assessing Trotsky, Lenin wrote, " Trotsky long ago said that unification is impossible. Trotsky understood this and from that time on there has been no better Bolshevik." Trotsky's Fourth International was established in France in 1938 when Trotskyists argued that the Comintern or Third International had become irretrievably " lost to Stalinism" and thus incapable of leading the international working class to political power. In contemporary English language, an advocate of Trotsky's ideas is often called a " Trotskyist"; a Trotskyist can be called a " Trotskyite" or " Trot", especially by a critic of Trotskyism. What is your opinion about Trotskyism, Eric? Trotamundos, Do you remember the Spanish civil war? You had the Leftwing Republican side with the Republican forces, the Communists, socialists and Spanish Anarchists on one side and the Spanish Fascists, Monarchists, Carlists and Roman-Catholics on the other side. I know that within that civil war there were conflicts between Republican forces. Anarchists vs communists. Russian supported Stalinists played a bad role there. Cheers, Pieter
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Mar 5, 2013 16:28:58 GMT -7
Post by karl on Mar 5, 2013 16:28:58 GMT -7
{No we don't. I'm a member of the Communist Party USA. Besides, communism and facsism are very different things.} Eric I was/am some what surprised but then, not surprised. For long past was my impression of your affiliation at the least, and for the most, communist. It is ok with my self, for each is to go their own identity as they see fit. For as you very well know, in America is a fore gone popular opinion of anti-communism, in this manner, it was very brave of you to go on record to your affiliation. Only as an inquiry, have you registered with the CPUSA? With this then, is there any advantage to you as a wage earner? For what would this organization do to assist you in your life? Eric, we are together in the forum, for one is not against the other, but only to help in a manner of listening as friends.. If perhaps you rather to let this go,,my self will in an eye blink let it be. Simple to provide an opportunity to you for what ever you have to say,,my self, am a very excellent listion person..And if other wise, to only listion. Karl
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Mar 5, 2013 18:51:08 GMT -7
Post by trotamundos on Mar 5, 2013 18:51:08 GMT -7
Jaga: Thank you very much for the information. I admire the courage of the Polish people to succeed despite having suffered serious events. Ignorance of the history of Poland in Spain is reduced to Nazi and Soviet invasions and concentration camps. I appreciate you that open my eyes to see the history of Poland. I want to continue learning with you. KarlThank you for your welcome. It is very rewarding for me this exchange of ideas. Eric: Sorry Eric for to have confused your ideology. I use a translator and is quite complicated to get understand everything you try to express. I think that communism is very nice as a theory, but in practice has proved so catastrophic as fascism. Pol Pot, Mao Tse Tung or Stalin were the greatest genocide in the history of humanity. In all countries where communism was established were generated famine, ideological censorship, poverty and inequalities (sounds contradictory, but it happens the cyclical process of humanity when it reaches the power that perfectly describes Nietzsche). The allegorical history by George Orwell “Animal Farm” narrates very well this process. But I am also against capitalism brainless, causing stupid wars for oil, child exploitation in mineral quarries in Africa to sustain our technology (like for the mineral “coltan” in Congo), created irreparable global inequalities and destroys our mother nature. I think that communism and capitalism are two sides of the same coin. Pieter: Indeed, the Spanish Civil War confronted the fascist side with the Republican side. Just for clarification, the fascist side did not defend implementation of a monarchy. When the fascist Franco died, in 1975, the King Juan Carlos I took control of the state, opposed to fascism and established a democracy. In retaliation, the fascists executed a coup to regain power in the country. I was born into a Republican/communism family, but I acknowledge that in the civil war there are no good or bad, both sides committed atrocities. This is a good example: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracuellos_massacres
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Mar 5, 2013 23:28:55 GMT -7
Post by pieter on Mar 5, 2013 23:28:55 GMT -7
Pieter: Indeed, the Spanish Civil War confronted the fascist side with the Republican side. Just for clarification, the fascist side did not defend implementation of a monarchy. When the fascist Franco died, in 1975, the King Juan Carlos I took control of the state, opposed to fascism and established a democracy. In retaliation, the fascists executed a coup to regain power in the country. I was born into a Republican/communism family, but I acknowledge that in the civil war there are no good or bad, both sides committed atrocities. This is a good example: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracuellos_massacres Trotamundos, I know that Fascist Spai wasn't a monarchy, but I believed that in the beginning, during the civil war monarchists weren't one the Republican/socialistist/anarchist/communist side. I learned about the role the communists played at the Republican side. That there were tensions between the Communists on one side and the Republicans, socialists and anarchists on the other side. I also learned that due to the Spanish civil war, you don't have to talk about Politicis in Spain today, because many Spanish people are stil divided between the Republican (Left) side and the Fascist (Right) side. I learned that many fascist supporters can be found in the camp of the conservative Partido Popular and the Repbublican side is found on the side of the Spanish socialist and communist side. I know about the role of the Spanish king in the reastablishment of the Spanish democracy. And I remember that there was an attempt for a coup 'd etat somewhere in 1981, when a Spanish soldier fired a gun in the Spanish parlaiment. Cheers, Pieter
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Mar 6, 2013 12:34:21 GMT -7
Post by karl on Mar 6, 2013 12:34:21 GMT -7
Hello! Before I begin my presentation I would like to apologize for my horrible english. I am a spanish student of anthropology. I love the culture, literature and history of every country in the world. And here I have the opportunity to meet the social, economic and politic context of Poland, a country nearly unknown to me right now. I would also like to participate in discussions on any topic of culture and try to answer any question that you would like to ask me about my country. I have been very lucky to find this forum. Saludos a todos! Trotamundos For as to mention some time past, but as you observe, a bit out of tune, a bit out of date, but,,,not out of mind... Please do not be of concern to your English, simple try to do better then before..In of this, my self am quite very confident, as well as some others, with the language of English. Of my self, I have no excuse, for under the British Occupational Authority, we were as children, brought under their rule of the language of their English. And, were provided with their learning books and so life went on. To much later, to have studied University English. And still, spelling is a bit of chore, at present, and thank the goodness, to Spell Check. What throws the spanner into the works is the use of slang, this is another devil to chase about... Then the other spanner with the North Americans, for they are different between: Canada, USA, and Mexico. For the Canadians are very dear as to keep most, but not all Britisch terms and spelling.... But,,,not the Americans, no, for they do not adhere to correct spelling and pronunciation as needs be and/or should be.. For they corrupt many terms to suit their purpose, and I would strongly suggest to irritate their long past Britisch history of the colonial times.. For a check, is to inspect some thing, or to insure some thing is correct. To say a check is a bankdraft is not correct, for a bank draft is a Cheque..This is totally different and correct in usage.. But to correct them on this, is to invite a raised eyebrow, a deeply drawn breath and then, a wave off of the hand with dismissal as to brush off a irritating fly.. You will find out soon enough, for not my self to describe further... I was to make mention earlier, also was I to study Anthropology as a side study, my primary was International Relations and business relations. I enjoyed very much Anthropology for it encompasses so much in human relations as the study of man. For as in the field of Archeology, some much is crossed field encompassed into Anthropology as to be symbiotic relationship. It was for this reason whilst a student, to have the opportunity of a sommer shared dig with a archeology group to a dig site in Iraq {Ancient location city state of Ur in the country between two rivers of Mesopotamia}. My work/study was to later give provision of assignment to Syria in later years.. But enough of my blabber, for it is to you, and in this, it is my most profound thoughts, you will/are doing very well, and I like you.. Karl
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