Stefan Starzyński. Economic policy in the light of the patriotic ethos: an independent economy, a strong state and labor government

Abstract

The article presents the life story of Stefan Starzyński. He was a great patriot during the partitions engaged in underground activity, first self-education and then military. During the defense of Independence and shaping the borders, he worked in the military administration and in 1920 he also participated in battles with the Red Army as an officer. Then he held high positions in the government of the Second Polish Republic, including the Ministry of Treasury. This period of Stefan Starzyński’s life influenced the crystallization of his concept of economic policy, which was classified as the etatism. The article presents the program of etatism, developed under the direction of Starzyński by a large group of politicians, economists and social activists called the First Economic Brigade. The essence of the etatism included the strong role of the state in the economy in the form of regulation, investment, tax, customs and credit. The article also indicates that Starzyński’s views on the economy and the role of the state were shaped not only on the basis of the work at the Ministry of Treasury, but also a polemic with liberals and representatives of industry and trade. The summary highlights the relevance of many elements of Starzyński’s economic policy program during the decomposition of the global economic order. It is also pointed out that Stefan Starzyński always performed the entrusted tasks in a reliable manner and there was no lack of involutions. In the final conclusion presented in the article, the author concludes that it was a great format figure capable of nobly, efficiently and effectively acting for the good of the Republic of Poland. He left behind the original concept of economic policy.