internalizacja

Internalizacja is a concept in economic and social theory, primarily associated with the theory of neoliberalism and its influence on Eastern European countries, particularly Poland, in the post-communist era.

The term is derived from the Polish language, where it translates to 'internalization.' In a broader sense, internalizacja refers to the process of making inland regions more self-sufficient by redirecting investments and economic activities away from coastal areas and towards the interior of a country.

In the Polish context, internalizacja was introduced as a policy objective in the 1980s, aimed at reducing the country's dependence on foreign trade, especially with the Eastern Bloc and the Soviet Union. The policy was prompted by concerns about the country's exposure to potential economic shocks from its reliance on imported goods, particularly energy resources.

To achieve this goal, the Polish government implemented policies encouraging domestic investments, remanufacturing, and the growth of inland industries. One of the primary mechanisms of internalizacja was the redirection of domestic demand from foreign-made goods to domestic products. This led to an increased focus on domestic production, technological modernization, and the growth of the domestic market.

While internalizacja played a significant role in the process of Poland's transformation to a market-based economy, it has been argued that the strategy contributed to reduced efficiency and increased costs due to the inward focus of the economy. The internalizacja policy had a lasting impact on Poland's spatial economics, transforming regional structures and economies within the country. As Poland continued to undergo rapid transformation towards a neoliberal economy, the legacy of internalizacja as a policy tool remained relevant in shaping the country's development trajectory.