The Economic Credibility of the State: Governance, Institutions, and the Challenge of Populism

This book argues that economic credibility should be assessed not only on the basis of financial stability and economic growth, but also on the state’s ability to maintain democracy and long‑term social cohesion.

Why do some countries maintain economic stability and investor confidence, while others experience credibility crises? This book examines how political decisions, institutional integrity, and public trust shape economic policy. The authors highlight the consequences of populist governments, which often undermine economic efficiency and democratic stability. The book analyses how populist governments affect a country’s economic credibility and long‑term stability. It offers a comprehensive framework for assessing a country’s economic credibility that goes beyond conventional financial indicators, advocating for a more holistic approach that supports democracy. Supported by research contained in reports on Poland’s economic credibility index, the book benefits from data visualisations, policy recommendations, and comparative analyses of state models, resources which provide the reader with practical tools for assessing economic credibility in various contexts.

This book will be of interest to policymakers, economists, political scientists, and business leaders, among others. With its multidisciplinary approach to the links between economic policy and institutional credibility, it provides valuable insights for those seeking to understand the complexity of modern governance.

Jerzy Hausner is Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of Public Economy and Administration, Cracow University of Economics, Cracow, Poland.

Andrzej Sławiński is Emeritus Professor at Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland.