Overview

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.

Full Product Details

Author:   Jaroslaw Kuisz
Publisher:   Manchester University Press
Imprint:   Manchester University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 13.80cm , Height: 2.20cm , Length: 21.60cm
Weight:   0.570kg
ISBN:  

9781526155870

ISBN 10:   1526155877
Pages:   376
Publication Date:   28 November 2023
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock  
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Table of Contents

Reviews

'A ground-breaking study that puts Poland’s populist turn in the larger context of the nation’s history. This is essential reading on the geopolitics of Eastern Europe in a time of war and uncertainty.' Jörg Lau, International Correspondent, Die Zeit -- .

‘A must-read for anyone interested in the future of populism in Poland, Europe and beyond.’ Anne Applebaum, author of Twilight of Democracy 'A ground-breaking study that puts Poland’s populist turn in the larger context of the nation’s history. This is essential reading on the geopolitics of Eastern Europe in a time of war and uncertainty.' Jörg Lau, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Die Zeit 'Kuisz is one of the most original and powerful voices coming from Poland.' Ivan Krastev, Chairman, Centre for Liberal Strategies ‘The Russian invasion of Ukraine has underlined Poland’s geopolitical importance, but the country’s democratic backsliding is a matter of concern. The new politics of Poland explains the numerous paradoxes of this fascinating country. Kuisz’s important book is highly topical, revealing, nuanced and compelling.’ Jan Zielonka, University of Oxford -- .

"‘A must-read for anyone interested in the future of populism in Poland, Europe and beyond.’ Anne Applebaum, author of Twilight of Democracy 'If you want to understand what is happening in the largest swing state in the eastern half of the EU, this is the place to start. Kuisz not only offers vital historical background to today's tortured Polish politics, but also develops the illuminating concept of ""post-traumatic sovereignty"".' Timothy Garton Ash, author of Homelands: A Personal History of Europe 'A ground-breaking study that puts Poland’s populist turn in the larger context of the nation’s history. This is essential reading on the geopolitics of Eastern Europe in a time of war and uncertainty.' Jörg Lau, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Die Zeit 'Kuisz is one of the most original and powerful voices coming from Poland.' Ivan Krastev, Chairman, Centre for Liberal Strategies ‘The Russian invasion of Ukraine has underlined Poland’s geopolitical importance, but the country’s democratic backsliding is a matter of concern. The new politics of Poland explains the numerous paradoxes of this fascinating country. Kuisz’s important book is highly topical, revealing, nuanced and compelling.’ Jan Zielonka, University of Oxford -- ."

"‘A must-read for anyone interested in the future of populism in Poland, Europe and beyond.’ Anne Applebaum, author of Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism 'If you want to understand what is happening in the largest swing state in the eastern half of the EU, this is the place to start. Kuisz not only offers vital historical background to today's tortured Polish politics, but also develops the illuminating concept of ""post-traumatic sovereignty"".' Timothy Garton Ash, author of Homelands: A Personal History of Europe ‘A masterful account of the birth of illiberal Poland. Jaroslaw Kuisz’s analysis of “post-traumatic sovereignty” offers a novel and informative lens through which to understand the origins of the nation’s troubled politics.’ Yascha Mounk, author of The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure 'An essential book for anyone who wants to understand post-cold war Poland and today's political dynamics in Central Europe.' Sylvie Kauffmann, editor, Le Monde 'For the most reliable, up-to-date survey of modern Polish politics, see Jaroslaw Kuisz’s new book, The New Politics of Poland.' Tony Barber, The Financial Times 'In The New Politics of Poland Jaroslaw Kuisz offers a competent and well-written account of the larger forces at work in PiS’s ascent, but also seeks to place the supposed ‘rise of illiberalism’ in the context of Poland’s longue durée. His book is also indirectly useful in displaying some of the failings of the liberal commentariat.' Jan-Werner Müller, London Review of Books 'A ground-breaking study that puts Poland’s populist turn in the larger context of the nation’s history. This is essential reading on the geopolitics of Eastern Europe in a time of war and uncertainty.' Jörg Lau, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Die Zeit 'Kuisz is one of the most original and powerful voices coming from Poland.' Ivan Krastev, Chairman, Centre for Liberal Strategies ‘The Russian invasion of Ukraine has underlined Poland’s geopolitical importance, but the country’s democratic backsliding is a matter of concern. The new politics of Poland explains the numerous paradoxes of this fascinating country. Kuisz’s important book is highly topical, revealing, nuanced and compelling.’ Jan Zielonka, University of Oxford -- ."

Author Information

Jaroslaw Kuisz is a writer, political analyst and editor-in-chief of the leading Polish political weekly Kultura Liberalna. He is the author of several books and has written for The Guardian, The New York Times and Le Monde.

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