In October 2023, Poland’s populist Law and Justice party lost power to Donald Tusk’s prodemocratic Civic Coalition. The outcome was hailed as Poland’s “return to Europe” and the “restoration” of liberal democracy after eight years of democratic backsliding. But that restoration has proven hard to achieve. In the July issue of the Journal of Democracy, Stanley Bill and Ben Stanley unpack the trilemma that post-illiberal leaders face and explain why illiberals stand to benefit.
Poland’s illiberal moment is far from over, as this year’s presidential election proved. The Journal of Democracy essays below, free for a limited time, chart Poland’s battles with illiberalism, populism, and polarization.
Democracy After Illiberalism: A Warning from Poland
Restoring liberalism after illiberalism is no easy task: Leaders face hard choices between acting quickly and effectively while maintaining a commitment to democratic procedure. Worse, their illiberal opponents stand to benefit either way.
Stanley Bill and Ben StanleyEast-Central Europe: The Young and the Far-Right
Far-right parties in Europe’s newer democracies have been working hard to appeal to younger citizens, and for good reason: Young people’s shifting values make them a ripe target for the far right.
Laura JakliWhy Poland’s Liberals Lost
Political blunders, distrust of elites, and Donald Tusk’s inability to deliver on his promises helped make an unknown, far-right former bodyguard the country’s next president. Worse, it will be far harder now to safeguard Polish democracy.
Jarosław Kuisz and Karolina WiguraHow to Dismantle an Illiberal Democracy
There is no clear roadmap. But Poland may be setting out on its first steps in stamping out populism and holding accountable those responsible for the worst violations of the rule of law.
Jarosław Kuisz and Karolina WiguraCan Poland’s Backsliding Be Stopped?
Viewed until recently as an exemplar of democratic transformation, Poland is increasingly seen as a leading case of democratic backsliding, thanks to a series of illiberal measures pushed through by the Law and Justice party.
Wojciech PrzybylskiPopulism and Protest in Poland
Once the poster child for successful postcommunist transitions to democracy, Poland is now governed by populist nationalists. What happened?
Joanna Fomina and Jacek Kucharczyk
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