The Polish movement of Solidarity contributed to the collapse of communism in 1989. What is left of Solidarity? How did it evolve, and contribute to the collapse of the old system and to the building of the new? These are the question the authors, leading specialist on the problems of social movements and social change address in this book.

The book surveys changes in the occupational structure, income distribution, value systems, lifestyles and attitudes which have spurred the rise of the middle class in Poland after the political turn of 1989. The emergent middle class based on the intelligentsia, executives and owners is examined for locally distinct features and future prospects.