With Andrzej Sadowski, president of the Adam Smith Centre, which has been operating continuously since 1999, Kazimierz Krupa talks.
Adam Smith Center was created 4 days after the creation of Tadeusz Mazowiecki's government?
Yes, since then we have continuously defended the principles of economical freedom, as well as freedom of speech and political freedom, with which, especially in fresh years, Poland has a increasing problem. It turns out that the freedom that we considered erstwhile and for all must be won again and fought for today. due to the fact that unfortunately – as the case law shows, even though the ultimate Court resolution – freedom of speech, although enshrined in the Constitution, does not should be regarded as superior value.
For me, individual freedom is an absolute basis.
Freedom of an individual is simply a collection of freedom – words, economic, personal. If we had consistently realised these values since 1989, present we would be the richest society in Europe. Just like the Irish, who in 2 generations jumped in terms of English prosperity. In Poland, the change in the economical strategy began before 1989 – thanks to the Wilczek Act. She's the 1 who brought back economical freedom. It has made up for a decade the distance to EEC countries specified as Greece and Portugal.
There was the Wilczek Act – almost legendary present – and then it began to be gradually corrupted.
Not us – another government. 1 of them commissioned us to analyse what happened to economical freedom. We have shown how subsequent regulations – despite their noble intentions – were in effect harmful. And so, step by step, “the method of salami”, the spirit of the Wilczek Act was abolished. It was yet renamed the Freedom of Business Act.
The name itself caused concern.
Because freedom is simply a word from the East – it is something another than freedom. The penultimate government said it was returning to the spirit of the Wolf Act, but forgot to add that in the meantime everything had already been banned. I am reminded of the example of Estonia – after regaining independence, it was considered that there was no sense in translating the erstwhile taxation law. fresh ones were written – short, simple, understandable. It was the foundation of their success.
And with us, all next election is simply a billion-dollar bid.
Only no 1 speaks honestly. No candidate admits that the belt will should be tightened, as Margaret Thatcher did – she promised the British blood, sweat and tears. She kept her word, and Britain rose. We have an empty slogan festival. Candidates promise unrealistic things. Uncovered publishing. This leads to the demoralization of society.
However, we are effectively pursuing Europe in this demoralization...
Unfortunately. alternatively of referring to our industriousness and entrepreneurship, which we prove despite obstacles. If not for all these barriers, Poland would truly be a green island. According to the European Commission, we are the most entrepreneurial society in the EU.
And if we were to run with an equal chance after planet War II...
We'd be in a different place. Spain has achieved success not through EU grants, but through extremist simplification of economical regulations. It was the key.
Meanwhile, today, candidates promise, for example, a simplification in electricity prices.
The president can influence that. He has a legislative initiative. We managed to persuade president Lech Kaczyński to support the fresh version of the Wilczek Act. Unfortunately, the President's death has interrupted these actions.
Is there only good intentions left?
That's besides bad, due to the fact that there was a chance for a real breakthrough. There is no request to compose a fresh law – it was adequate to reconstruct what had already worked once, and destruct unnecessary regulations.
Exactly – what would gotta happen to make this breakthrough happen?
We must abandon the doctrine of "somewhat it will be" from the widow of Shejek. Politicians travel around the planet and see how another countries work, but they do not learn from it. Poland lacks real will to change. We have capital – there are billions in the accounts of citizens and companies – but we do not invest due to the fact that the regulations are besides complicated and dissuasive.
And we get to the end. Shall we make an appointment after the “elimination”?
I'd love to. But after the real election, not after the plebiscite.
The text was published in June issue of the magazine "Home&Market"
