Q & A Table of Contents
Farmers' Roadblocks Tie Up Roads in Poland
From: Pawel, Warsaw, Poland
Question: At present we have a lot of strikes in Poland. Could you give me recomendations how to prevent such events, how to teach and learn before strikes cripple a country.
Response: Dear Pawel,
I've just returned from a business trip to Europe where I read every day about how farmers have erected roadblocks and stopped traffic on major highways in Poland. To use the American expression, it is very difficult to put the toothpaste back into the tube once it has been squeezed out.
Clearly it is important for people in any country to listen to each other and explore possible issues that can form building blocks for agreement. In a young market economy, people often focus on only what is in their own short-term personal interest, which can make cooperation difficult. Of course, this is often a problem in mature market economies as well. . .
If I were the 'king' of Poland, I would get relevant leaders from government agencies and farmers organizations to spend time learning about the process of negotiation, focusing on mechanisms for learning how to work together to respond to the interests of the parties 'at the table' but also those of their constituents. Farmers are a crucial part of the economy and the international credibility of the country. They are also a fundamental part of the ability of all Poles to have enough good food to eat. Government people have to deal with those issues as well as others. As the two sides learn how to understand the interests that each needs to consider, they may find there are potential building blocks for agreement.
In the short term, each side needs to find confidence-building measures. So one side may say, 'If I do this . . ., Then will you do that . . .?' One step at a time to build the habits of reaching agreement with each other.
Obviously we have not just solved the immediate problem. But I would suggest that as people develop an understanding of the long-term interrelationship of issues, the likelihood they'll develop increased capacities to reach agreements that are both wise and efficient.
Good luck and good negotiating, Steve.
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