Cognitive Values of the “Patchwork Capitalism” Category: Advantages, Limitations and Research Challenges

Abstract

This article contributes to a discussion of selected aspects of Juliusz Gardawski and Ryszard Rapacki’s extensive study presenting a new version of the concept of “patchwork capitalism” in Central and Eastern Europe [2021]. The article discusses the differences in the theoretical and methodological assumptions of the “old” and “new” conceptualizations of the “ideal version of patchwork capitalism”, which focuses on the specific institutional architecture of post-communist European Union countries. Questions and suggestions are presented, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the authors’ attempt to develop their own innovative approach to the subject matter. The aim of the article is to contribute to strengthening the cognitive value of the concept of “patchwork capitalism”, making it a more useful theoretical and methodological perspective in the debate on the development directions of Poland, other countries in our subregion, and the EU as a whole. A new conceptualization of “patchwork capitalism”, along with tools for analyzing its various dimensions, has significant cognitive potential that goes beyond conclusions about the “hybrid” or “mixed” nature of the institutional systems of some EU countries. Such a more adequate conceptualization, however, requires some refinement, including incorporating at least some answers to the formulated research questions and suggestions.