Loss of solidarity

摘要

Don't be fooled by the past half-century: Poland has a long and colourful history of democratic rule. In the 16th century, when the country was in a union with Lithuania, its kings were, in effect, hired under contract and reported to an assembly of regional leaders, rather like a modern chief executive answers to his board. In the 17th century, the assembly adopted the principle of liberum veto, which gave individual members the right to reject legislation. It may have been admirably fair, but caused many deadlocks.