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Strikes which occurred in the summer of 1980 in Poland, leading to the establishment of independent trade unions and extensions of civic freedoms, are analyzed as a successful revolutionary reform achieved through non-violent means. In 1980, mass strike actions turned out to be an effective example of a fight without the use of violence, and thus should be assessed from the point of view of the theory of non-violent action. Resulting changes could not be attained within official politics and/or methods of coercion. Processes which occurred in Poland in 1980 indicate therefore a way in which non-violent protests can be effectively employed for a deep transformation of a political system.

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