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About Krzysztof Bobinski

Krzysztof Bobinski is the president of Unia & Polska, a pro-European think-tank in Warsaw. He was the Warsaw correspondent of the Financial Times (1976-2000) and later published Unia & Polska magazine.

Articles by Krzysztof Bobinski

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Friday 30th December

Europe's problem, Poland's perspective

Krzysztof Bobinski, 30 December 2011
The still uncertain outcome of the eurozone crisis makes predictions for 2012 difficult. But its singular impact in the European Union's newer member-states could include a revived appreciation of the benefits of federalism, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Wednesday 21st December

2012, democracy's challenge

Krzysztof Bobinski, 21 December 2011
The toppling and scarifying of tyrants has made this an inspiring year. But democracy has to go deeper in the next, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Tuesday 11th October

Poland's election, European lesson

Krzysztof Bobinski, 11 October 2011
Poland's competent centre-right government has earned it a popular vote for stability and continuity. But the sharp rise of a minority party reveals a generation's parallel hunger for change, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Thursday 29th September

Europe's eastern question

Krzysztof Bobinski, 29 September 2011
Poland is hosting a summit on 29-30 September 2011 that seeks to strengthen the European Union's relationship with its eastern neighbours. The great events in the Arab world reinforce the timeliness of the effort. But the larger uncertainties over the union's future may delay real progress, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Wednesday 13th July

Poland’s European infusion

Krzysztof Bobinski, 13 July 2011
The six-month Polish presidency of the European Union starts with a welcome dose of optimism from its prime minister. Now for the hard part, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Tuesday 26th April

Two

Krzysztof Bobinski, 26 April 2011

In 2050 democracy blossomed all around the world partly because, some years back, bankers in the west and elsewhere were stopped from accepting deposits from dodgy rulers. It was a big sacrifice by the banks and they resisted it fiercely, especially in Switzerland. After all these deposits made up a large chunk of bank balance sheets. Tyrants and dictators are driven by many things; power, of course and sex but amassing an ill-gotten fortune was a regular feature. 

These kleptocracies could never become democracies (accountability, rule of law, free media) while their rulers were addicted to siphoning  large sums of public money off to private accounts. But try keeping billions under the bed. These people stole on such a scale that they were the only robbers who actually needed a bank to look after their swag.
Yours, K
Holbein's portrait of Jakob Meyer, banker. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Jakob_Meyer%2C_by_Hans_Holbein_the_Younger.jpg/458px-Jakob_Meyer%2C_by_Hans_Holbein_the_Younger.jpg
Tuesday 14th December

Poland and climate change

Krzysztof Bobinski, 14 December 2010
The indifference of official Poland to climate change is rooted in its leaders' experience and reinforced by economic interest. A new generation will be needed for a stronger policy to emerge, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Tuesday 13th April

Poland’s second Katyń: out of the ashes

Krzysztof Bobinski, 13 April 2010
The flight-disaster that consumed Poland’s president and dozens of the nation’s senior figures may be followed by a lasting improvement in relations between Warsaw and Moscow, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Monday 12th April

Poland: the politics of history

Krzysztof Bobinski, 12 April 2010
A contest over Poland’s communist era renders much of this past invisible 
Tuesday 2nd June

The Polish summer, 1989: a farewell salute

Krzysztof Bobinski, 2 June 2009
How the elections that broke communist power in Poland in time also consumed their victors
Wednesday 22nd April

The partnership principle: Europe, democracy, and the east

Krzysztof Bobinski, 22 April 2009
Europe has walked backwards into its "eastern partnership". Moldova gives it the key
Monday 9th March

Europe between past and future

Krzysztof Bobinski, 9 March 2009
The EU's east-west divisions reflect a failure to understand the union's own history
Monday 20th October

Europe’s politics of self - and others

Krzysztof Bobinski, 20 October 2008
Two crises - the financial crash and climate change - reveal two faces of Europe
Tuesday 16th September

The Caucasus effect: Europe unblocked

Krzysztof Bobinski, 16 September 2008
The Georgia-Russia war provokes European governments into surprising initiatives
Saturday 21st June

Europe’s coal-mine, Ireland’s canary

Krzysztof Bobinski, 21 June 2008
The Irish "no" to the Lisbon treaty is a political test for the whole European Union
Thursday 1st November

Poland’s generational shift

Krzysztof Bobinski, 1 November 2007

The electoral drama signals young Poles' arrival on history's stage 

Thursday 28th June

The Polish confusion

Krzysztof Bobinski, 28 June 2007

Warsaw's blocking approach weakens the European Union and damages Poland itself

Wednesday 21st March

European unity: reality and myth

Krzysztof Bobinski, 21 March 2007
A return to the origins of European integration in the 1940s-50s reveals a more complex story than the official celebrations allow, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Thursday 26th October

Hungary's 1956, central Europe's 2006: beyond illusion

Krzysztof Bobinski, 26 October 2006
A new history of Hungary's uprising against the Soviet Union in 1956 shows how close its people came to freedom. The lesson is for Hungarians and their neighbours to use today, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
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