Program of the social democracy of the Republic of Polen : [1 marca 1997 roku]. - [Warschau, ca. 1997]. - 84 Kb, Text <br>Electronic ed.: Warschau: SdRP, [ca. 1997]. - Mirrored: FES Library, Bonn on 19th of January 1999

PROGRAM of

The Social Democracy of The Republic of Poland

The Social -Democracy of the Republic of Poland is hereby presenting its long-term program. It contains our answers to the questions about Poland the way we desire it to be, about values which guide use and methods by which we intend to implement our program. From its very inception, the Social -Democracy of the Republic of Poland has been actively participating in the reform of the system, preservation of democracy and building of legal order. In its activities the SdRP expresses the needs and aims of the widest groups of our society, attempts to win for its program those who value ideas of social justice, irrespectively of the philosophy by which they are motivated. The Social -Democracy of the Republic of Poland as one of the members of the left-wing family of parties, members of the Socialist International. aims to implement the postulates of peace, justice in international relations, equal chances, civilization progress, full use of human skills, appreciate the valued of work. We consider that realization of those objectives requires unification of the leftist forces. SdRP is one of the members of the Democratic Left Alliance, intends to cooperate with other parties and leftist groups on principles of mutual recognition of their identities. We place great importance to cooperation with trade unions, democratic women and youth organizations. We support a variety of ways in which people of left orientation organize themselves. The objectives of the left converge with general public interest and well-being of the country. They can be accomplished only together with development of the economy, science and culture, with civilization progress and only under democratic conditions with full citizen rights and sovereignty of the country and its international security. Here, we remain in agreement with all democratic forces, with all formations and movements which desire a democratic, just and prosperous Poland. Assumptions of our program are based on permanent values related with universal ideas of humanism and Polish patriotism. At the same time, we formulate criticizing conclusions and evaluations based on traditions of leftist movements and historical experience, we attempt to formulate the challenges associated with transformations taking place in Poland and throughout the world. We define our position in respect to major problems of Poland and our tasks which should contribute to attainment of objectives close to the needs and desires of the widest groups of the Polish society. Through this program we appeal to the Polish society and, in particular, to all those who wish to acquaint not just with our position in respect to a variety of political and economic, social and cultural problems, but also the ideological motivations and theoretical foundations of our proposals for Poland. We address all those who seek answers to difficult questions, who want to face the challenges of the 21st century.

I. Social-democratic objectives and values

humans are
the highest value

1. The idea of humanism, openness to the world, modern thinking, tolerance, rationalism, altruism are the basic values of the Social -Democracy of the Republic of Poland. Observance of human dignity, the right of people to freely develop, assuring of conditions for creative use of individual capabilities and skills of groups, combating injustice and suffering - are the main objectives of our program. Esteem for work, truth, modesty and honesty - are those values which we prefer.

to serve Poland

2. Our desire is for Poland to be a country of economic and civilization progress, a safe, sovereign and open to the world country. A motherland of free, equal and solidary people, a state if social justice. Our ideals are related to the Polish socialistic tradition, contemporary quest of Polish left movements and accomplishments of the Socialist International, in which SdRP is a fully-fledged member. We live at a turning-point of industrial civilization converting into information society, in which information and human knowledge will play the main role, not land, capital or raw materials. SdRP can take Poland into this new era. But, to do this it is necessary to implement a policy looking into the future, rejecting continuing squaring with the past, oriented towards civilization and cultural challenges, dialog, compromise, understanding of different points of view. That is our model of democratic political culture.

democracy and self-government

3. We consider that the only source of power is the will of people expressed during elections; we strive to assure subjectivity of citizens in public life, to develop self-government, to achieve equal citizen rights, we value public and social activity. SdRP strives to implement its program through winning public support in parliamentary and self-governmental elections. If there will be no possibility of being in authority, SdRP will remain in constructive and responsible opposition

solidarity of people, openness and tolerance

4. We aim to attain relationships between people based on sympathetic cooperation, willingness to provide mutual assistance, we want to co-create the order of public agreements, resolve controversies through negotiations and compromise. We consider that it is the duty of a political party to maintain dialogue with the people: express interest of defined social groups, but show at the same time the methods and possibilities of their accomplishment, including the attainment of collective needs and objectives which are not routinely considered by individuals. We declare ourselves in favor of separating churches from the State, in favor of freedom of conscience and belief, neutrality of State philosophy, cooperation of the State with churches and religious unions.

equality of rights,
equality of opportunities
and equal measuring
of humans

5. Our aim is to counteract unemployment, poverty, homelessness, excessive stratification of income, assurance of common access of young persons to public education, participation in culture, assuring adequate conditions of life to veterans of work, care about the handicapped. We are fighting for equal rights of men and women, we oppose any discrimination of minorities because of their origin, outlook on life, property status, political beliefs, age, ethnic descent, sexual orientation. We oppose valuation of people through their level of income.

economic efficiency and social solidarity

6. Our overriding program aim is to lead through evolution to building of a social state with efficient, rapidly developing, regulated market economy, a State guided by social solidarity in defending the weakest social groups while maintaining democratic legal order. Counteracting the accumulation of wealth at the cost of poverty of wide social groups, we favor balancing of the effects of economic progress to the extent possible. We see the State as having a regulatory function in the economy, favoring social equilibrium. Taking into account future tendencies, SdRP sees itself as being closest to eco-social market economy respecting the principles of balanced growth. it is our intention to build such an economy.

civilization
challenges

7. The basic tasks on the path of systemic transformations are interleaved with global problems, with challenges carried by the changes taking place throughout the world. We consider that civilization challenges have to be up-taken to an ever greater degree by united efforts of many countries and their supra-national structures. Thus, the Social-Democracy is in favor of Poland's participation in processes of international integration. it favors social Europe. Together with the Socialistic International, we aim to introduce a new, just order, both in relations between the West and the East, as well as between the North and the South, we strive to achieve public acceptance of a model of balanced economy, social and ecological growth, we oppose all forms of oppression, non-tolerance, bias or hostility to other races or nations. We consider it our special task to raise young people in esteem for their own and other nations, preparing them to live in an integrating world.

whose interests are we representing

8. Our program is addressed to all people, employees and employers, owners of family-based businesses and farms, retirees and pensioners, who just like us would like to implement those principles to an ever better extent and applied in everyday public life. In particular we want to express the aspirations of those social groups and citizens who due to various reasons do not have equal opportunities to benefit from economic growth in their personal development.

II. Traditions and experience

socialist traditions nearest to SdRP

In defining its system of values and program of social activities, the Social-Democracy of the Republic of Poland refers to patriotic and progressive traditions of the Polish nation. We feel particularly close to the political traditions and practice of Polish socialist movement, which united patriotism and struggle for independence with struggle fore political and social democracy, citizen freedoms to all and relations between people based on humanism. We are reaching to the achievements of international socialist movement, which united the principles of justice with citizen freedoms ands self-government.

crucial experience of
People's Poland

9. After World War Two, Europe was divided. Lacking full sovereignty, the Polish people subjected to a non-democratic, and in the initial period - Stalinist, version of socialism. This system distorted the traditions of Polish and European socialism, even though it did implement some of its ideas. While not attaining the extremal forms which prevailed in other countries of Eastern Europe, it did lead to wickedness and unlawfulness. We decisively condemn the violation of human rights which took place in the past, including the crimes of the Stalinist period. Those criminal offenders cannot avoid a just penalty.
However, not all years of People's Poland should be measured with one ruler. In reality, we were a country, in which ideas of a better, more just society struggled with doctrinal economic utopia and an authoritarian political system. Dogmatism interleaved with pragmatism, backwardness with progress, overwhelming power of bureaucracy and party run State with gradually widening scope of democratic freedoms and foundations of pluralism.
We have due respect and praise for all those who had rebuilt our country from war destruction, developed recovered territories, implemented the agricultural reform and created millions of jobs for excessively populated villages, liquidated illiteracy, and introduced a real educational revolution - in other words - honestly worked for Poland during a period when our country was called People's Poland. We are defending the biographies of millions of people, their right to retain their dignity today and a good name in the future.
We have duly addressed the dramatic evens of June 1956, march 19698m December 1970 and June 1976. The dreams of the intelligentsia and workers of democratic socialism lost in confrontation with the reality of the system, in which ideas did not translate into practice. In 1981 the attempt to attain a fully sovereign state and power were confronted with the then existing political conditions in a world divided into two hostile camps. Understanding those situations, remembering the sacrifices and suffering of people, it has to be stated that history proved that those who openly and having clean intentions struggled for a fully sovereign and democratic Poland were right.
The stream of reform appeared in the Polish United Workers Party with varying strength and efficiency. It undoubtedly contributed to the search for methods of changing the inefficient economy and non-democratic organization of the State - as was the case in October 1956 - and finally did lead to a compromise with the democratic opposition which started the period of Polish reforms. The Round Table has become as symbol of this compromise. The Social -Democracy of the Republic of Poland has emerged from that stream of the Polish United Workers Party. SdRP was created by people who had completely reevaluated their position in respect to real socialism, understood the fallacy of trying to improve it and had the courage to make a complete turn around towards an open, democratic, market economy based society open to Europe.
The full of criticism evaluation of the experience of those years led us to principal conclusions seen in the way we operate and how we view Polish transformations. From its beginnings, the Social -Democracy of the Republic of Poland persistently adheres to the principles of a democratic state of law. Through our actions, and not just words or declarations, we have proven that correct conclusions have been drawn from the history of People's Poland. We know from our own experience how costly it is to neglect democracy and public aspirations. Our choice made in 1989 is final for use and irrevocable.

systemic transformations
after 1989

10. Experience of the period of systemic transformation have confirmed the need for existence of a left wing, capable of representing and protecting wide groups of the Polish society.
Our achievements of this period include development of democratic political life, assuring citizen freedoms and forming the foundations of a modern state of law; in economy we have progressed with transformation towards a market economy and in the last few years - overcome recession and restored growth tendencies of the Polish economy.
However, democracy in Poland is still young and weak, exposed to a variety of threats. Also, the transformations made in the economy, especially during the first few years of the process, were done at a social cost far too great. real income fell, unemployment soared, poverty and insufficiency have spread greatly. Great differentiation took place between the level of life in various regions of Poland.
We fully appreciate the effort of reforms in 1989-1993, but that period was not free from errors, the consequences of which have greatly affected the social assessment of the transformation process and have to be repaired over a prolonged period of time.
The main challenges in the political sphere still are:
- formation of a modern political system, particularly of a party and election alliances system, capable of creating and agreeing differentiating public interests;
�employing of freedoms", the shaping of modern culture of public life
- dissemination of a habit to practice democracy
- increasing efficiency of the State authorities, decentralization of power and strengthening the systemic role of local self-government
- shaping of the legal system of state, standards of public life based upon a new Constitution.

The main challenges in the social-economic sphere are:
- acceleration of structural changes and technical. technological revamping of the industry and agriculture;
- consumption with flattening of the increasing differentiation in income of different social groups and environments; reduction of the wide sphere of insufficiency and poverty;
radical reduction of unemployment;
building of a modern system of social services, implementation of fundamental changes in social security, health protection and national education system.

III. Democratic state of law and self-governing society

11. The social-democratic vision of the State incorporates: a strong and democratically elected Parliament, efficient government, reliable system of justice. The State is friendly to the people, creates equal opportunities to all, decentralized, performing an increasing variety of tasks through a variety of social self-government, particularly through local self-government authorities. Program tasks and basic values of Polish Social-Democracy which translate this vision into practice include the creation and strengthening of democratic social order, counteraction of threats to such order, strengthening of the guarantee of citizen rights and freedoms, shaping of a socially based on citizenship values.

Parliamentary democracy.

>
�bertragung unterbrochen
n favor of a parliamentary democracy system, in which the right to remain in power is based solely on a mandate of public confidence expressed in elections, and democratic mechanisms and procedures of pubic life allow the building of public consensus. We are in favor of a division and balancing of legislative, executive and judicial authority; for a single house parliament, strong government protected by an institution of constructive non-confidence vote, president who guarantees the continuity of State power, actively participates in exerting power and plays the role of an arbitrator in political disputes.
We consider that democracy based on representatives has to be developed and supplemented in a variety of direct democracy forms, such as: national referenda, people's legislative initiative.

legality
and its guarantees

13. We aim to participate in the creation of a democratic State of law, in which all political authorities operate based on law, in which human rights are respected and where interference of the State into personal freedoms of people is restricted to the extent possible. A democratic state assures a feeling of security and guarantees that each crime shall be justly prosecuted and penalized, and innocent people will not suffer.
A democratic state of law assumes the existence of statutory guarantees of legality, equipped with the required authority. Such system consists of common courts headed by the Supreme Court, the Public Prosecution Authorities, administrative justice and the Chief Chamber of Inspection, Constitutional Tribunal, Tribunal of State and Ombudsman.
We are in favor of making decisions of the Constitutional Tribunal binding and effective. We consider it purposeful to establish further institutions which will safeguard citizen rights, including the Child Ombudsman and Consumer Courts.
Functions of the system of justice are considered by us to be crucial. The principle of tripartition of power has to be confirmed in the independence of courts, their fundamental, irrevocable independence of any other authority of State. Therefore, we consider it urgent to strengthen all components of the system of justice in staff and income and vote in favor of more efficient enforcement of law. We are in favor of establishing an universal right to submit constitutional complaints.
We consider it necessary to create institutional guarantees which will efficiently prevent entry of politics into operation of social services of the state and the use of such services to achieve particular political objectives.

decentralization
and self-government

14. SdRP supports processes of decentralization of State authority. Widening of the rage of matters vested with territorial self-governments and strengthening of their financial position is a key component of establishing a democratic political system and improving economic efficiency of the Polish economy,. We strive to have as much of those funds remain at disposal of commune self-governments and their higher level structures. SdRP is in favor of a three-tier structure of self-government. The number and territorial scope of the next higher level of self-government should be structured such to give them real economic power and authority allowing to solve important local problems and issues. SdRP is in favor of common elections to elect the commune manager, mayor and president of a municipality. We are in favor of promoting the development of professional and economic self-government, in favor of shaping local policies. We also support the continuing growth of non-governmental organizations and their activities oriented towards strengthening of democracy, self-government and decentralization of the state.

philosophical neutrality
of the State

15. SdRP is in favor of separating the churches and religious unions from the State and in favor of philosophical neutrality of the State. Such neutrality is meant as impartiality of State institutions in respect to various orientations, churches and religious unions, their equal treatment without any preferences and without the State becoming involved in favor of any single orientation. SdRP s not doctrinally against religion and churches, it is in favor of cooperation between the State and churches in resolving important public problems. Social-democratic values may and should unite those who believe and those who do not. The freedom of belief and conscience is treated by us as one of the most important freedoms of citizens. We are against intolerance in public life.

public media

16. SdRP is in favor of real guarantee to freedom and pluralism of Polish media, including public radio and TV. These may not be subjected to any political nor religious censorship nor dominated by political orientations of their current management. We expect Polish journalists to be professionals, competent, with high standard of work and knowledge. Considering the special role of media in shaping public opinion and providing public control over the authorities, we await the journalist to bear full responsibility for what is presented in the media. We shall co-establish conditions and demand that public media reliably inform the people, taking into consideration various viewpoints, and to build the spirit of consensus in matters of crucial importance for the public and for the State.

IV. Economic growth

17. The Social -Democracy of the Republic of Poland is in favor of a market economy oriented to meeting of social demands. Such an economy respects market laws interleaving them with social sensitivity and develops manufacturing potential along with protection of natural human environment.
SdRP favors the limitation of the role of the State in economy, but rejects the advocated by ideologists theory of total elimination of the State from the economy. We are in favor of a mixed economy, which is understood as domination of the market and the State being able to intervene, only where it can better solve problems than through operation of market mechanisms. The Social-Democracy wants to impart as much unlimited freedom in the economy as possible and have the State intervene only when absolutely necessary.

economic policy
of the State

18. Assurance of a stable, balanced economic growth and strengthening of international competitiveness of the Polish economy are our priority tasks. Such policy should:
- leas to attainment of financial stability of the state through persistent limitation of inflation, reducing budget limits and public debt, along with stabilizing of the balance of payments,
- favor growth and efficient operation of a talented and dynamic management staff capable of reliably operating their businesses,
- co-establish modern institutions of the market economy and protect healthy competition against monopolistic practices,
- support and promote export and investments, stimulate development of modern technologies,
- assure promotion of domestic manufacturing and protecting its most susceptible sectors, particularly of agriculture and some industries having key importance for the economy; such protection should be of transient nature and lead to such improvements in efficiency of those sectors as to enable them to meet mounting competition,
- support the performance of necessary structural transformations systematically lead to abatement of differences in the development between various regions of Poland.

battle against unemployment

19. Counteracting unemployment requires creation of jobs both for those who are unemployed now, as well as for the young people entering the labor market year by year. Protection is required over employment of invalids and handicapped persons, mothers rearing their children alone, people who maintain their families alone. This difficult objective may be attained only on the basis of economic growth coupled with restructuring of industry, increasing the share of processing industries and development of services. It requires coherent economic and social policy implemented in at least five spheres:
- regionally differentiated policy of combating unemployment, including a tax and credit policy as well as stimulating injection of equity, e.g. by forming special economic zones,
- multifunctional development of rural areas simplifying the tasks of evolutionary restructuring and modernization of agriculture, at the same time creating new jobs in rural areas,
- undertaking major infrastructural ventures, particularly in construction and revamping of transport networks,
- housing policy, increasing the mobility of people to regions offering employment,
- flexible educational policy allowing adaptation of occupational skills to the changing demand of the labor market.

The above actions may prove to be still insufficient. It has to be expected that rapid technical progress and automation of manufacturing processes will not lead to a rate of job places increase as compared with the number of people entering their production age. Therefore, one has to provide for shortening of working time, maintaining however competitiveness and growth potential of the economy.

ownership transformations

20. The Social-Democracy of the Republic of Poland is in favor of continuing ownership transformations leading to gradual limitation of State ownership within the economy, We consider that such transformation should:
a) be subordinated to the requirements of economic efficiency and accomplishment of public objectives, i.e. should take place in manner opening opportunities of growth, modernization, investments, improve living and working standards of people,
b) be adapted in its forms to concrete conditions and possibilities, i.e., provide for a variety of privatization paths,
c) take place under public control and in a socially acceptable manner, assure participation of employees and farmers in benefits of such transformations and their influence on managing transformed enterprises,
d) allow - through shares in privatized enterprises - to satisfy claims of all those people who were deprived of their property by the State in violation of the law,
e) service to solve important social problems, with special consideration of priorities in reforming the social security system.

equal treatment
of sectors

21. Creation of opportunities to perform efficient business irrespectively of the form of ownership of the business is one of our fundamental principles of economic policy.
SdRP supports individual enteprenuity. We are in favor of stimulation and assistance to small businesses, protecting its interests in conformation with competition from large concerns, in favor of stabilizing tax regulations.
It is necessary to improve the way in which property of the State treasury is being managed. This will be achieved not only through ownership transformations, but also through self-dependence of enterprises and the way in which they will be linked to the market, qualifications of their employees, management and quality of owner's supervision.
Development of cooperative and municipal ownership provides stimulation of initiatives and enteprenuity of local environments, and better use of their capabilities. We are in favor of developing a cooperative movement which will independently decide about it smatters, capable of winning in a competitive environment and protecting interests of its members.

industrial policy

22. Active industrial policy, using tools such as the tax system, duties, credit guarantees and preferences, financing selected scientific research, promotion of export, attraction of foreign equity, governmental orders - as a prerequisite for modernization of the structure and technological reconstruction of the economy.
We consider that such policy must combine market mechanisms with requirements of modernization of manufacturing capacity, consider needs of export and environmental protection. The main tasks of industrial policy is to develop and implement programs of adapting individual spheres of Polish economy to requirements of international competition. In particular, such policy should:
- create conditions favoring development of processing industries, particularly representing high level technology,
- lead to restructuring of those sectors of Polish economy, the inefficiency of which may threaten strategic interests of the State (mining industry, smelting, fuel and energy, armaments, rail transport sectors),
- strengthen economic security, particularly through differentiation of sources for derivation of energy and raw materials,
- create opportunities of absorbing some of the work force from branches and sectors not having development perspectives,
- care about balanced development of large, medium sized and small commercial enterprises and support consumer movements.

agricultural policy

23. SdRP considers it necessary to persist in the continuation of restructuring and modernization of agriculture. The future of Polish agriculture will depend on economically strong farms having direct relations with the market, absorbing biological, technical and organizational progress. capable of creating highly productive work places and assuring decent living to farmer families.
SdRP supports the process of land ownership concentration, to create ever stronger and larger family run farms, which form the skeleton of Polish agriculture.
Small farms will continue to exist in Poland in the long term, so their production capacities will have to be maintained. Hence, support should be given there of labor-intensive production and systems with double occupations of owners and with gradual transfer to other professional activities, which not necessarily require moving of the family to cities.
Polish agriculture will remain multi-sectoral and this will generate a number of benefits, provided that all farms receive equal treatment, irrespectively of their size and form of ownership.
We favor gradual privatization of the majority of State-owned land reserve, but object to total liquidation of that sector on agriculture. Well organized State-owned enterprises or enterprises with participation of the State Treasury stimulate business growth in many regions and promote agrotechnical and biological progress.
Leasing of farms of the State Treasury to employee companies and individuals should assure stability of production conditions and employment.

The main instruments supporting our agricultural policy shall be:
- inexpensive credits, mainly for restructuring of farms and agricultural and food processing plants,
- program of developing agricultural exchanges and other forms of market organization,
- reconstruction and supporting rural production cooperatives in the filed of agricultural services, supply and sale of production, mainly to protect against speculation on agent margins,
- State intervention on the agricultural market and protection against competition of subsidized imported food,
- development of agricultural and food processing industry and supporting agrotechnical and biological progress as well as organization of a variety of forms of advisory services..

Polish agriculture in
united Europe

24. SdRP considers that we should enter the European Union without any conditions addressed to Polish agriculture and the process of its modernization should be implemented gradually, also during the period of our membership and in adaptation to the changing social and economic conditions. Efforts have to be made to enable Polish farmers to benefit from the same rights and duties as farmers in the EU member countries after Poland becomes a member of the EU.

rural regions are
not just farming

25. SdRP will implement a policy which assures multifunctional development of rural regions by crating new jobs in processing, industry, services and trade, in sectors related with the sphere of agriculture.
Important tasks are related with expansion of rural infrastructures: transport networks, telephones, water supply, educational and cultural centers.
SdRP favors strong development of all forms of rural self-government, which have recently received new legal framework. We stress development of education in rural regions and access of youth to secondary and university level education. Rural schools should also tech non-farming professions, what will greatly contribute to restructuring of those regions.
Science, dissemination of knowledge and implementation of technical progress will play a great role in the restructuring and modernization of our agriculture.

housing

26. SdRP puts great attention in its economic policy to the development of housing and favors structured continuation of the housing sector reform to adapt it to the prevailing market conditions - assuring at the same time assistance of the State for those social groups which are unable to acquire a flat using their own resources. We are in favor of:

- improving financing of rental-based housing for families with modest income,
- creating effective demand for flats by implementing as system of tax benefits, accessible credits and credit guarantees,
- creation of conditions for acquiring their first flat by young persons.

Housing is seen as an important instrument of reducing unemployment, and also as a stimulator for development of other sectors of the economy.

ecological
policy

27. Balanced growth requires harmonization of industrial, agricultural, energy and transport policies with requirements of protecting the natural environment.
Structural changes in the economy and new technologies should be based on:
- gradual reduction of production noxious for the environment and development of energy saving materials and technologies,
- intensified food production based mainly on agrotechnical and biological progress, and not on application of chemistry to agriculture,
- development of least noxious transport means, including public transport,
- more balanced distribution of population, gradual development of a network of settlements situated outside the highly urbanized centers.
Ecological policy should be supported by appropriate legislation, modification of Polish environmental laws which have to be adapted to standards applicable in the European Union and OECD requirements. We consider it particularly important to implement economics based methods of proecological influence on the economy. Deterioration of environment should become first of all - uneconomic, whereas initiatives of its improvement should be supported by governmental and self-governmental funds, tax and customs preferences as well as by funds procured through eco-conversion.
Ecological awareness should be promoted and combined with occupational education. Consumption models have to become compatible with eco-development.

Tax policy

28. We consider that the tax system should contain strong stimuli - based on deductions and exempts - encouraging to investments and creation of new jobs. The sale of taxes from natural persons as well as other tax benefits should first of all support those tax payers who have modest and medium level income. In respect to high-income groups a policy should be implemented wherein higher taxes are to be paid by high consumers and low by high investors.
We favor gradual reduction of taxes. The rate of this process should, however, be dependent on the existence of sufficient budget resources to cover the most urgent public needs, which we consider to include education, science, security of the people and the State. We shall seek sources of financing such expenditures also in improvement of the efficiency with which taxes are enforced and by reforming those sectors, which use budgetary funding inefficiently.

V. Social justice

one measure,
one law,
equal opportunities

29. The principle of justice in social life is conditioned by an equal opportunity at the beginning of independent life. This equality is limited in a market economy by economic factors and also cultural matters; however, the State should intervene to remove these differences by redistribution of a portion of national income and development of social services, and placing social spending out of the budget at par with spending for development. Social justice comprises the removal of access barriers to employment, education, culture, health protection, possession of a flat, socials security, assuring at the same time a feeling of security to those, who cannot find sources of decent living not due to their own fault. Social justice is the right of decent self-realization in all realms of life.
Justice also means equal treatment of people irrespectively of their social descent, wealth, sex, nationality, religion, belief and orientation. It also means equality at law and regular adherence to that principle by all.
SdRP considers social justice as an equality of opportunities, equality of rights and equal measures. each human has the right to a decent life, at the minimum social security is a right which everyone has to have.

differences in income level
and living conditions

30. Overall social policy should prevent excessive differences in the levels of income and living conditions of people, and should first of all to the flattening of the still excessive zone of insufficiency and poverty.
This should be accomplished through not only an appropriate wages policy and tax instruments, but also through the development and access to social services and through the system of social security providing welfare, family allowance, housing allowances. Each person in need of assistance should receive it, primarily by creation of conditions allowing for instituting economic self-dependence.
SdRP will strive to attain the objective contained in the European Social Charter.
The Social-Democracy of the Republic of Poland will be greatly interested in and will strongly care about handicapped persons. We opt for a policy favoring full involvement of such persons into public, professional, political and cultural life. SdRP will attempt to universally implement the accepted by the UN General Assembly principles of granting equal opportunities to handicapped persons.
The society has special obligations to care for children whose natural parents are either dead or unable or unwanting to raise them. Policy of the State must lead to the creation of mechanisms allowing resolving of such child problems through adoption. otherwise, we are in favor of creating small, family-based child homes. No child should remain without appropriate assistance after leaving his/her institution upon becoming of age.

labor relations
and wages system

31. We favor such a system of shaping salaries, in which the employee desires as to remuneration will be fitted into the requirements of macroeconomics equilibrium and needs of industrial development. Modernization of the labor code, partnership relations at the workplace and adjustment of salaries, mechanisms of three-party negotiations and collective employment agreements should stimulate rationalization of salaries, including appropriate setting of minimum wages and resolving of conflicts which may arise in result. We support basic social rights and protection of the labor force, their family, and veterans of labor. The Social -Democracy of the Republic of Poland stresses the great role opt trade unions in shaping labor relations and salary systems in all sectors of the economy. One of our basic aims is to improve protection of worker rights and working conditions.
While supporting the enterprises in their attempts to improve efficiency and creating them appropriate conditions to do se, we shall counteract any attempt to derive business benefits at the cost of violating the basic interests of employees and any actions of employers to disregard their social responsibility. Elimination of conflict generating situations lies in the best interest of both employers as well as employees.

the 21st century -
a challenge for
the young generation

32. SdRP will strive to have young people live in a country open to the world and oriented towards the future. Young people have to have a perspective of getting education to become responsible for fate of their country.
Our aims are to:
- systematically increase the number of university studies,
- disseminate knowledge of foreign languages - employing the principle that "every Pole knows a foreign language",
- creation of a system of preferences for those enterprises which employ graduates from vocational schools and universities,
- reduction of unemployment among young people through reforming of the education system such to adapt it to market requirements,
- dissemination of the idea of creating international schools stimulating exchange of views and knowledge with other young people,
- education of the new generation in respect for their own and other nations, tolerance for varying attitudes, respect for traditions, to prevent causing of bias by the idea of unified Europe.

universal access
to education

33. SdRP considers that investment into the education system has to be a priority of a contemporary State. investment into humans, their knowledge and skills is the most efficient socially and economically method of financing growth. SdRP favors gradual approach to the general requirement of secondary education and widespreading of university education. We are in favor of universal, independent of personal means assess to public education from primary to university level schools. This is the prerequisite for an equal start in life. Access to education has to depend only on individual talents. We consider the sector of non-state-owned schools as being important, and supplementing the education system in Poland. Non-public schools which do not charge high fees for education should receive support from the State budget. We consider it necessary to strengthen the system of scholarships and a system of loans addressed for educational and living purposes as well as introduction of tax reductions for students of extramural studies paying for their education.

reform of
the education system

34. We are in favor of expanding the infrastructure of university education, which will assist in significantly increasing the number of people with higher education within a relatively short time frame. We will support opening of first degree regional universities in smaller centers, with better proximity to the domicile of students. This will lower costs of education and will enable self-governments to participate in investments and support of such schools and employer organizations to operate.
We favor such reform of the national education system which will lead to:
- relating knowledge with shaping of skills: the system of education should equip all persons with a variety of skills, necessary both in professional as well as in public and individual life,
- widely understood integration of schools and the education system with the public, i.e. openness of schools, their ties with the local environment and their cooperation with other participants of the education and up-bringing processes,
- dissemination of foreign language knowledge as a regular component of education,
- independent thinking and preparation to adult life under changing economic and social conditions,
- preventing political influence being imposed through the education system.
We consider that outlays for national education should be gradually increased. This should assure better living to employees of the system and make the profession of a teacher an attractive career, while at the same time improving the equipping of schools with educational aids.
Science and research will play an ever increasing role in determining the competitiveness of our country on foreign markets and on the position of Poland among other nations.
To fulfill there ambitious tasks, we have change the current distribution of national income such to provide more funds for development and counteract the appearance of a generation gap among the staff of scientists.

pro-family
social policy

35. We are in favor of a pro-family social policy, for creation of the best possible conditions for the formation and development of family life and performing by the family of educational functions with close cooperation between the schools and parents.
In consequence, families should receive support through an appropriate housing policy of the State, particularly by providing inexpensive rental-based housing and social welfare housing. We are for protection of tenant rights and against �eviction to nowhere". We opt for systemic assistance to the poorest families in sharing their costs of housing.
We are in favor of developing inexpensive and generally available institutions caring about children. Family allowances of varying nature should become a significant form of providing material assistance to families, particularly those having many children, incomplete families, low-income group families. Assistance should also be provided in the form of direct material programs (summer camps, additional food at schools, education kits) and through offering of proper medical care over pregnant women and mothers with small children. We consider it a fundamental duty of the State's social policy to create improving conditions for men and women in fulfilling their functions of parents, enabling them to meet both professional and social duties of their everyday life.

equal rights to
men and women

36. Equal rights of men and women are considered by us to be one of the most important requirements of social relations based on justice. We consider it necessary to continue efforts to strengthen professional position of women, their opportunities on the labor market, removing barriers to employment and promotion, advancement of their enteprenuity and finding independent jobs. Their natural sensitivity to oppression and lawlessness, opposition against brutality and force, readiness to render help to others constitute important values which are contributed by women into our society.
SdRP is decisively supporting public activities of women and intends to remove economic, social and psychological barriers on the route to social advancement of women, their access to functions in public life. We will increase the presence of women on voting lists. We await that the education system and activities of public media will eliminate stereotypes of male and female roles, promote modern standards of equal rights in social and professional life.
Women have to have the right to decide about matters which concern them. This vision has to be reflected in legislation concerning the planning of families and requirements for interruption of pregnancy.

support of culture

37. We are in favor of the State supporting culture. Assurance of full access to the values of culture, cultural centers, public libraries, cheap books, protection of fundamental values of national culture, support of valuable creative arts, helping young talents, support of social cultural movements, including those of ethnic and national minorities, preventing the negative consequences of commercialization of culture and also protection of domestic architectural, arts, cinematography, theatrical resources - are in our opinion the basic tasks to be fulfilled by the cultural policy of the State.
We opt for full creative freedom, without any form of censorship. We also opt for financial stimulation of the support of culture by private persons.

physical culture
and sport

38. Physical culture and sport are equally important elements of social life. In our opinion we should strive to have the State and local self-governments support a variety of recreational and sports-based activities.
We are in favor of financial support to natural and legal persons who organize recreation and sports. We see professional sport as an important way of international promotion of Poland - hence, we shall strongly support the Polish Olympic movement.

retirement and
pensions system

39. It is the duty of the society to assure life of aged persons. The retirement and pension system is the basis for implementing such a policy.
It is important in the reform of today's social welfare system to reduce the payments demanded for Social Security. The reform should lead to non-reduction of income of today's pensioners and retirees, assuring them at the same time benefits from increase in the national product.
It is also necessary to introduce equity based insurance and employer pension plans, allowing professionally active persons to assure themselves a decent level of income in the future.
Demographic processes which lead to an increase of the number of people above 65 years old in the overall population structure of the State constitutes a serious challenge to the Polish society. This cannot be treated as a burden, but as a social capital to be used in the development of our country.
Therefore - irrespectively of the financial considerations - it is important to enable pensioners to continue a variety of activities, to participate in social life, where their experience and knowledge will be used.
It is also important to care for those persons who require continuous assistance. We consider it necessary to increase the number and standard of centers of continuing care, where the expectations and needs of such persons are being satisfied. it is also necessary for the State to provide assistance in housing and offering of medicines to the poorest groups.

health protection system

40. SdRP considers it important to continue the reform of the health care system. each person has to be confident of receiving medical assistance when required, at an appropriate level conditioned by health and not one's income level.
The fundamental assumption for the reform is to have an universal and compulsory health insurance for all members of the society, based on equal principles,. The scope of basic medical services has to be identical for all insured persons, irrespectively of their rate payments and financial capabilities. At the same time, a system of voluntary additional insurance has to be created.
The reform should create conditions of competition between health authorities, which will then lead to improvement of the quality of medical services, better availability of basic medical assistance and highly specialized services. We consider it necessary to introduce a system of regular medical check-ups.
Funds form the State budget should be directed first of all to investments - purchase of expensive diagnostic and therapeutical equipment, education of medical staff and implementation of national health programs - particularly in respect to cancer, circulatory diseases, AIDS, prevention and treatment of occupational ailments, social and contagious diseases. We are particularly interested in a pro-family policy addressed to pregnant women, creating of appropriate conditions for childbirth, care about children, youth and the handicapped and aged.
It is also necessary to create conditions favoring healthy life, cultivation of sport, strengthening awareness of health, properly understood rest and habits of rational nutrition. We consider that a society which undertakers to assure health protection to all has the duty to prevent actions which have adverse effects on health (alcohol, nicotine, narcotic drugs).
Health of people is an outcome of many factors. Therefore, its maintenance and improvement has to involve everyone - the society, its institutions, governmental, local administration and non-governmental institutions.

VI. Security of citizens and the State

reduction of crime

41. Personal safety is one of the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens. Increase in crime, brutality and international crime are becoming a greater threat to people. The assurance of individual and collective security has to be an important priority of the State and the organized society.
It is particularly important to provide full diagnosis and observe all social phenomena and economic processes which lead to an increase in crime (including the educational aspects of TV programs, or precision of tax and customs systems) to introduce appropriate improvements in law, efficiency of prosecuting authorities and operation of the system of justice, particularly in simplification and acceleration of court procedures.
It is necessary to develop a long-term program and implement a system of educational and up-bringing activities which would reduce pathological and criminal behaviors. This should comprise:
- an offering of educational, sports and other activities which develop the interest of youth at school and unemployed graduates, creating a real alternative to the subculture of youth criminal circles,
- counteracting excessive brutality in electronic media,
- elimination of military and brutality bases elements from the recreational offering to children and youth.

professional and
efficient police

42. SdRP is in favor of further expansion (and optimization) of budget expenditures for the prevention and combating of crime, particularly of organized crime, offenses committed by youth and on youth and to prevent the whole sphere of negative and criminogenous phenomena associated with the use of narcotic drugs. To attain this, police and special services should have access to wide, and democratically controlled authority.
Campaigns counteracting and reducing crime should take advantage of various non-governmental, business, pedagogic, etc. institutions and organizations. We consider that an important and preventive role should be played here by the churches and religious unions.
We consider that improvement is to be attained through increase in employment in Police, reaching of European standards in technical equipment, cooperation with international organizations such as Interpol and Europol, intensification of the process of improving professional qualifications of policemen and the related thereto shaping of the professional ethos of a policemen as an efficient, just and honest guardian of law and order.

unavoidability of penalty
and self-defense of citizens

43. Unavoidability of penalty is one of the conditions needed to reduce the wave of crime. We are against the death sentence, but the penal code has to provide for permanent separation of most dangerous criminals from the society.
People cannot be passive in light of the threat of crime. We praise and support organized and individual manifestations of self-defense of citizens. We support the widening of the bounds of self-defense, which should receive a fuller and more precise definition.
Self-governmental commune guards - with increased authority - should on the one side relieve the police from some of its tasks, while on the other side become open to public and citizen initiatives to assure full safety within social environments, settlements and cities

national defense,
Poland in NATO.

44. Security of the state in today's world is decided by its economic strength, political order, international alliances and guarantees, but also by the strength and weapons of its army. e consider it necessary to create ever improved conditions for the fulfillment of defensive functions as well as educational and public functions of the Polish Army. We decisively support civil and democratic control over armed forces, and for gradual professionalization of the army, which also should remain apolitical. We support actions which are to further reduce conventional armaments in the continent of Europe and also favoring the creation of a pan-European security system. Such a system should be based on a reformed North-Atlantic Treaty, and membership of Poland in NATO is the fullest guarantee of our external security. To achieve this, we will fully support actions leading to Poland's membership in the Western European Union.

VII. Transformations of today's world; foreign policy

information and
technology revolution

45. Basic tasks in systemic transformation of Poland are closely related with global problems, challenges carried by transformations of the contemporary world. Therefore, we have to build modern industries which play a leading role in the IT civilization, which will enable full use the talents and skills of our people. We are thinking here first of all about developed electronics, information technology, modern information techniques, computer networks and information highways,. modern industrial processing technologies and biotechnology. This includes a modern transportation and market structure, which comprises professional business services and a developed network of modern banks and financial institutions.

the role of science

46. Science and technical progress along with transformations of the Polish society into an innovative society are key in achievement of the above goals. Already in the forthcoming future science will become the basic element of production, which will define the conditions of production and competitiveness of our state. This gives Poland new opportunities, allowing to apply our great traditions, developed university structures, strong scientific centers and many high level specialists.
SdRP considers that science may and should be one of the main elements assuring Poland its proper place among nations of the world. Therefore, the overcoming of today's crisis of Polish science, caused first of all by financial insufficiency, as one of the highest priority tasks. People of science and organizers of science should themselves perform a deep restructuring, in an effort to strengthen and modernize universities and create novel links between research and practice.
In an IT society, the main conflict will be in the access to knowledge and information. We cannot afford to lose this battle

interdependence of economies

47. We will oppose any attempts to convert Poland into a �skansen", which will provide only what was made by our grandfathers and fathers, competing with the world only in cheap labor. Knowledge is our main capital resource. The position of Poles in the world will be defined by their knowledge and not by the surface area of crops of mineral resources.
We will counteract any attempts to maintain today's obsolete economic structure of Poland, derived from the naive belief in the invisible hand of the market or activities of foreign investors.
We will not agree to becoming second-hand clients in regional communities. Therefore, we consider the modernization of economic and industrial structures of Poland as one of our important priorities.

new challanges

48. Challenges associated with the dramatic division of the world into regions of wealth and poverty and the problems of migration and refugees continue to be important. Economic transformations move centers of world economy, evolve into new structures of interest and cause new conflicts.
Structural unemployment is increasing in Western Europe which remains dominated by supranational corporations, which tend to affect the policies of governments. There is also a threat of permanent transformations of a part of Eastern Europe into a big economic slums, with deterioration of many moral values, surfacing of non-tolerance, nationalism, racism and xenophobia. SdRP opposes these phenomena and is strongly against all forms of oppression, terror, hostility or dislike of other races and nations. It is our principle to shape the attitudes of respect for our own and other nations, to promote the skills of consensus leading to integration of European and global societies. SdRP is in favor of considering sensitivity and social justice in global policy.

European economic integration

49. The participation of Poland in processes of European economic integration and access of Poland into the European Union. We consider it a tool to accelerate social and economic growth and civilization advancement. However, this means a necessity of undertaking a difficult task of adapting the structure of industry and agriculture as well as principles of economy and legal systems to European standards.
We consider it necessary to implement wide education concerning European matters and also to inform of all consequences of Poland's integration with the EU - considering both benefits as well as costs and sacrifices. This will allow to take an informed decision of entry into the E, which should be made by way of a national referendum.
We are convinced that not just Poland needs the EU but also that the Union needs Poland. We have an ambition to contribute significantly into the development of the whole Community.
At the same time, we opt for such shaping of the future unified Europe which will not just lead to the development of a market economy but also to coordination of foreign and defense policies, help to resolve the most important public issues, e.g. unemployment, struggle against organized crime, protection of the natural environment. The Social-Democracy of the Republic of Poland is in favor of a social Europe.
In the process of political and economic integration with Europe, SdRP will protect national identity and assure that being European and Polish will not become two unconcileable opposites, but will support each other and enrich themselves mutually.
Poland also has important interests in the East. Thus, in entering the European Union will we want to promote and accelerate commercial exchange with the East, in which Poland should become an intermediary. This, inter alia, should be one of the specific features of our role in the EU.
We support integration tendencies between countries of the Eastern and central European region. Each of the countries has a similar level of economic, social and technological level of development; widening of cooperation may accelerate the development of all partners and help their integration within the European Union. This is stimulated by the CEFTA free trade zone.
We are in favor of regional cooperation on local level, including the strengthening of Euroregions as a method of accelerating integration processes.
It is in the interest of the Polish economy and maintaining its specific features to continue cooperation with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

foreign policy

50. SdRP considers that foreign policy is to serve a number of parallel needs:
- strengthening of independence and sovereignty of the country, elimination of external threats
- use of international cooperation for the economic development of Poland
- participation of Poland in the process of cultural and civilization integration of nations and in the solution of global contemporary problems
- protection of the interests of Polish nationals abroad and protection of Polish minority rights abroad.
We consider the UNO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as important factors in converging nations and preventing conflicts in Europe and throughout the world. We put great attention to cooperation of Poland with France and Germany, within the Weimar triangle. We consider it necessary to stimulate subregional cooperation within the Wyschegrad Group, Central European Initiative and Council of Baltic Sea Nations. This is our opportunity for improving relations with our closest neighbors, in the efficient resolving of many common problems. We consider it necessary for Poland to develop good relations with all civilization centers of the world.
Polish reason of State and national security coupled with defensive and international policy should be subject to political consensus. These cannot be treated instrumentally and abused to win internal disputes.
We are in favor of creating a professional foreign service, independent of internal political changes. This will help to stabilize and sustain Polish foreign policy.

relations with
neighbors

51. Good relations with all our neighbors are of key importance. In case of Germany, where historical change in relations took place from hostility to friendship, we want to remove the traditional mutual dislikes and to win a solid partner in the development of our economy and progress of civilization.
We opt for development of good, partnership based relations with Russia. We repeat with full strength: Euro-Atlantic orientation of Poland is not directed against any one and does not infringe the interests of any one. Any fears of such threat expressed by some of our eastern neighbors are fully unjustified. These fear have to be removed through development of good cooperation, overcoming historical backlogs and opening of good-neighbor relations.

VIII. Poland needs a strong and modern left wing party

Our objective and our program is realized within a democratic political system. We consider representative authorities of the State and local governments as particularly important forums for our activities. In coalition with other left wing groups we strive to obtain election support seeing this as the only mandate for remaining in authority. The Social-Democracy of the Republic of Poland is a social and political movement which develops multilateral activities also in fields other than state and local authorities. We initiate multilateral contacts between our party units and the people, we develop centers of program ideology, and care about organizational efficiency of our structures. Socialization and democracy are considered by use to be unremovable standards of organization and progress in internal life. This is seen as an important element of our activities and a path of allowing the accomplishment of unity in basic and most important matters. Unity conditions both our identity as an ideological and political movement, as well as a way of achieving efficiency in public life. We consider program statements relating to the main problems of Poland and our policy as being binding for all members of the SdRP. Adherence and implementation are required first of all from party activists who fulfill functions within state and local authorities and within other institutions of public life. The society needs a strong left-wing party, efficient, effective and capable of contributing to the well-being of the state and its citizens, overcoming divisions and particular interests. A left-wing party capable of expressing, defending and implementing the interests of various social groups and of the society as an entirety. This is a condition of social equilibrium and social consent for difficult transformations which will modernize the economy and structure of the State, opening doors to civilization progress of our country.

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