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Science
A. General (S)
Poland is a leader in science among the Communist countries of Eastern Europe but trails far behind the U.S.S.R. in scientific and technological achievements. Poland has a strong scientific tradition and in its long history has produced some outstanding scientists. A significant development of scientific advancements took place during the Renaissance, with the establishment of the Academy at Krakow[1] in the 14th century; it later became the Jagiellonian University. One of its greatest scholars was Nicolaus Copernicus, famous for the creation of the heliocentric theory of the solar system. During the 1880's, successes were achieved by such individuals as Z.F. Wroblewski and K. Olszewski, who obtained liquid oxygen and nitrogen in large quantities for the first time. The work of Madame Sklodowska-Curie, the Polish-born French chemist, is known throughout the world of science. Both the Communist Party and government leaders have believed that sincere and technology are of great significance to the country's development and have, therefore, provided substantial financial support for research and development in relation to Poland's size and national income.
In recent years a general opinion has emerged that Poland cannot compete broadly in all areas of science and technology and that the future of Polish science must lie in concentration of the country's research and development capabilities in selected priority areas that are related to overall economic needs. There has been considerable difficulty, however, in obtaining agreement on which areas should be stressed. The government is forcing the issue by providing increased funds for applied research in certain areas at the expense of fields designated to be of lesser importance. Changes are taking place slowly, since there is much resistance to the government's efforts to move scientific specialists from the universities and institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) to research laboratories under the industrial ministries. There is a large gap between the work of the basic scientists and the relatively simple needs of Polish industry. Applied research is increasing, but Poland will depend headily on licensing of foreign technology to stimulate the development of technologically oriented industries.
Progress in science is favored by government support of research, the high level of literacy, and a strong system of free education. The higher educational system emphasizes the training of scientists, engineers, and technologists. Polish scientists, although by no means free from politics, have been less burdened by political dogma than scientists in the U.S.S.R. and Czechoslovakia. There are, however, several factors which have hindered scientific progress, and one of these is the atmosphere of uncertainty, disorganization, and apprehension among working-level scientists brought about partially because institute directors are too occupied with politics to pursue research. The politically motivated purges that followed the crisis in the Communist Party in 1968 greatly affected universities and scientific research institutes. Approximately 5,000 students, professors, and research workers were either arrested or dismissed from their positions or association with the universities. Of the entire group, 150 were professors, 50 of whom were members of PAN. Morale of the scientific sector has been greatly affected, relations between Polish researchers and their counterparts in other Communist countries are strained, and communications with the scientific community are restricted. It does not appear that politics is more important than scientific ability in obtaining a position of leadership, especially in the physical sciences. When two individuals appear to be about equal in scientific ability, however, the person with party membership is always favored.
Facilities for research have suffered from inadequate equipment, caused in part by a shortage of funds for foreign purchases. As a result, large amounts of time are spent by scientific workers in the construction of special equipment and instruments. Research workers are handicapped by the long delays (1 to 2 years) in securing supplies and chemicals which are not produced in Poland. There is a lack of coordination between Polish research as practiced by
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- ↑ For diacritics on place names, see the list of names at the end of the chapter.
