Sport In Poland Research Articles

The Communist Rule in Polish Sport History

This paper provides an outlook on sport in Poland under Communist rule (1944–1989). This sphere of social life is presented against a background of political, social and economic circumstances that constituted the totalitarian reality following the Second World War. Due to different historical circumstances Polish sport has always been subject to strong political influences since its beginning in the second half of the nineteenth century. Rather more recently there were developments under the rule of the Communist Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR), which was of course subordinated to instructions from the Kremlin. This saw the rejection of many old traditions, while new patterns reflecting Soviet ideologies were introduced. They outlined the framework for development of Polish sport as a whole as well as the destinies of individual athletes.

Sociology of Sport in Poland

Theoretical reflections on physical education, competitive sport and recreation in Poland began in the late 19th century, developing as an integral part of the social science of sport, dealing with complex problems of the genesis, structure and functions of physical culture in the face of national and structural transformation. But the social elements of sport did not achieve full autonomy until the 1960s, when sociological and historical studies as well as theoretical analysis were initiated. Empirical research developed on rural sport and its social transformation, sport in urbanized areas, and sociological problems of top-class sport. In the 1970s the sociology of sport in Poland entered a new, much more advanced stage of development and dealt with social engineering, professionalism, the sociology of education through and for sport, the sociology of organization, and the role of sport in culture. The present needs and objective possibilities of Polish sociology of sport can be satisfied if it develops quantitatively as well as qualitatively, especially in the search for new paradigms and bold individual and collective research ventures and integration with related social sciences.

Sport as the Subject of Sociological Studies

Having recognized the existing syntheses of the world sociology of sport and the appropriate background for the evaluation of Polish achievements in this science, the author points to its rapid and multivariant development and its unquestionable achievements and weaknesses. Actually, the achievements of this science in Poland can be reduced to six aspects of description, elucidation and practical functions: sociotechnique, so ciology of education, sociology of organization, sociology of occupation, socio logy of political relations and mass movements and sociology of culture. Attention is drawn to the fact that the best effects have been achieved in sociolugy of cul ture, and the worst in sociology of organization. This attempt to systematize the achievements of the sociology of sport in Poland is, of course, one of many possible ways, and as such remains the subject of discussion. We also think that the fact that in our reasonings we based our selves on Polish achievements is not of any special significance for our theoretical proposals, which, we think, are of a more universal nature. They can just as well be based on the experiences of other countries and perhaps on the sociology of sport in general.

Research on Workers' Sport in Poland

Research on Workers' Sport in Poland

Social Aspects of the Development of Rural Sport in Poland, According to Research

Social Aspects of the Development of Rural Sport in Poland, According to Research