Is Poland A First World Country?

Posted on Author Abisola Salahu

Poland has managed to produce a Pope but still manages to be a largely unknown country with a lot of mystery about it. This is a country in Eastern Europe and Central Europe, with a population of 38 million, and a land area of 312,696 km2.

Poland has been inhabited since prehistoric times; the country has documented the presence of Ice Age humans and Homo erectus species, and then there are many Bronze Age settlements which were walled communities fenced with wood, with towers overlooking the area to watch against invaders.

This was not very sophisticated, but it shows that Poland had some of the first civilizations which were organized communities of people who lived at fixed locations, and defended themselves. There is also evidence that Poland played host to Roman establishments during the height of the Roman Republic.

Is Poland A First World Country?

Yes, Poland is a first world country. But do you know what the term “First World Country” actually means? You may find the meaning quite interesting.

Poland became a kingdom around the 10th Century, and while it was never actually a regional power, it was also never easily defeated by any army. Poland has essentially remained the same over the centuries; not a global force, but also quite powerful.

The term “First World” was first coined in the years of the Cold War, and it was used to describe those countries that supported the US and its allies as they fought against the Soviet Union and her allies. First World countries were also Capitalist Countries, and their citizens enjoyed relative freedom.

On the opposing side; countries in the Communist Bloc, who supported the Soviet Union were called “Second World Countries.” A characteristic of those countries was the restriction of freedoms on the people; other veiled parlance for this suppression include “Iron Curtain,” and “countries with Socialist Mentality.”

Therefore you can see that the term “First World” actually had political intonations rather than anything else. But the current meaning is entirely different.

First World Today

After the cold war the meaning of the term First World has changed. It now means wealthy countries whose citizens enjoy a high standard of living, and who have a low rate of unemployment, and who have very good economies. Usually, theses are countries with stable democracies, and peaceful societies.

These are countries that are able to attract investors, and that are able to sustain the markets that are developed by the investors. They are usually heavily industrialized, have large carbon footprints, and have huge energy requirements.

As can be expected; politics also plays an important role from the background; countries must first have very good political structures before they can attract investors. Nobody wants to invest billions in a war prone country where he could lose all his investments in a blink of an eye.

First World countries usually have capitalist economies, and the people are not burdened with heavy taxation.

How Does Poland Fare?

By The Old Definition

By the old definition, Poland was not a “First World” nation because it opposed the United States, and actively supported the Soviet Union. However, analysts have pointed out that the government of the time was foisted on the people, and that ordinary polish citizens supported the western powers.

As evidence to this point they remind us that nearly 6 million Poles emigrated to the United States, bringing the human and financial capital along with them. It seems that the people of Poland have always loved America and its people.

By The New Definition

By the New Definition, yes, Poland is a First World country. The country is well developed, and the citizens enjoy all the good things that life has to offer.

Strong Economy

Poland has a strong economy; the country has a GDP Per Capita of 17,999.91 USD, and an unemployment rate of 3.37%, which means that unemployment is decreasing. The country’s economy is boosted by key sectors such as the Services Sector, Manufacturing, and Agriculture.

Poland is a hub of tourism; it has ancient cities, historical monuments such as the world’s oldest zoological gardens, the German Auschwitz Concentration Camp, the world’s largest castle, and the underground channels with a chapel and other attractions.

Good Literacy Standard

The standard of literacy in Poland is quite high; the common people are able to read and write. The country has basic education, and tertiary institutions abound in the country as well. Furthermore, Poland has made many contributions to science and technology in the fields of astronomy, food preservation, economics, and mathematics.

Education and research employ around tens of thousands of people in the country, and Poland is never far behind in terms of technology.

Good Government Structure

Poland has a good government structure; the administration of the country is done peacefully. Poland has a unitary parliamentary system; it has a president, and a prime minister. The country also has a council of ministers although both the individual ministers and the prime ministers are appointed by the president, while only the president is elected by popular vote.

The system works fine; Poland has all the checks and balances that come with not placing too much power in the hands of one man.

The country is peaceful and quiet, and the people are happy. Poland has universal healthcare system that is based on social insurance.

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Closing

Poland may not have been a First World country by the old definition of the term, but it certainly is one by the new definition. This is a stable, prosperous country where the people live in freedom and comfort. The country has a good economy, low unemployment, and high literacy rates, coupled with a universal healthcare system which keeps the people healthy and productive.