The New Politics of Poland

This is a new book. Condition: Brand New.

For many observers, the electoral success of Poland's populist right-wing party Law and Justice in 2015 came as an unpleasant surprise. Even more shocking was what happened next: Jaroslaw Kaczynski's party started taking over all state institutions. It suppressed the media and launched a controversial 'reform' of the judiciary.

How was this illiberal turn possible after decades of democratic development? Has Poland cut itself off from the pro-European path, or is the Law and Justice government a passing episode in the country's history? Written by a leading Polish political commentator, this book traces the country's transformation over the past thirty years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the government response to the refugee crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It also reaches back further into the past, analysing the current situation in terms of a 'post-traumatic' reaction to centuries of statelessness.

Familiarising readers with the latest developments in Europe's largest illiberal democracy, The new politics of Poland shines a light on the broader situation in East and Central Europe and offers valuable lessons for other countries experiencing the rise of populist right-wing movements.

Book details and technical specifications

Format: Hardback
ISBN13: 9781526155870
Published: November 2023

Number of pages: 376
Width: 138 mm
Height: 216 mm
Depth: 22 mm

Publisher: Manchester University Press