Poland | openDemocracy

“Only war makes it possible to mobilize all of today’s technical resources while maintaining the property system.”

- Walter Benjamin, 1936

The helpless and the resourceful, or the beginnings of Polish populisms

Marek Beylin 18 April 2013

Poland has two populisms: “the populism of the dispirited”, mobilising those who struggled to adjust to life in the new Poland; and a form of neo-liberal populism, embracing free market capitalism and excluding those who did not prosper. Both have deep roots in Poland’s history.

CIA prison will haunt Poland

Claudia Ciobanu 10 April 2013

Poland's role in hosting a CIA "black site" is now certain. Whether the government will voluntarily admit it is another matter.

BRICS, a new cooperation model?

Mariano Aguirre 22 January 2013

One of the criticisms made of the emerging economies is that they are using cooperation to gain markets, political influence and access to natural resources. But that is what the countries of the North are also seeking.

There and back again? Media freedom and autonomy in Central and Eastern Europe

Václav Štětka 18 December 2012

Collusion between the press and politicians is not confined to western Europe. Central and Eastern European countries are also plagued by their own mini-Murdochs – and in these more fragile democracies, they represent an even bigger threat.

Poland and the US elections: respect for an ally

Adam J Chmielewski 5 November 2012

Poland is less engaged with this American election than on previous occasions. But its people and elites are still viewing the contest and its candidates with a wary eye that reflects their domestic political concerns, says Adam J Chmielewski.

Why Poland is the new France for Germany

Ulrike Guerot and Konstanty Gebert 17 October 2012

Has Poland replaced France as Germany's most trusted European partner?

Not enjoying the football. But ever interested by it

Tony Curzon Price 1 July 2012

Is football racist to its core? The author starts out having thought so, but his experience of a particular group of joyful fans makes him wonder whether an inclusive tribalism might not be possible - even desirable

War minus the shooting: Russia vs Poland at Euro 2012

Zygmunt Dzieciolowski 15 June 2012

Ukraine_Euro

‘War minus the shooting’ was George Orwell’s definition of sport, unpleasantly brought once more to mind during the recent battles between Russian and Polish football fans. There is a long history of animosity over sporting events between the two countries, but there could be a way forward, says Zygmunt Dzieciolowski

Barack Obama and Poland: injurious ignorance

Adam J Chmielewski 31 May 2012

The American president's award to the wartime Polish hero Jan Karski was tarnished by a historical blunder that reveals all too much, says Adam J Chmielewski.

Janusz Palikot’s ‘Cannabis Stunt’ Overshadowed a More Complex Debate about Drug Policy Reform in Poland

Kasia Malinowska-Sempruch 13 February 2012

Palikot’s symbolic gesture played into the hands of a media that is eager to demonize the decriminalization campaign. The symbol however overshadowed a more complex debate around the decriminalization of cannabis and other illicit drugs in Poland.

Europe and democracy-promotion: making good

Jacqueline Hale 13 January 2012

The Arab uprisings of 2011 are provoking the European Union into a rethink of its approach to encouraging democracy in its neighbourhood. A European Endowment for Democracy with a new kind of mandate could be at the centre, says Jacqueline Hale

Eurozone take-over

Julian Rose 7 January 2012

Poland's premier is ready to lead Poland into a new servitude to corporate greed

Europe's problem, Poland's perspective

Krzysztof Bobinski 30 December 2011

The still uncertain outcome of the eurozone crisis makes predictions for 2012 difficult. But its singular impact in the European Union's newer member-states could include a revived appreciation of the benefits of federalism, says Krzysztof Bobinski.

Poland's politics of abortion

Agnieszka Mrozik 13 December 2011

A citiziens' initiative seeking a reform of Poland's abortion law is facing a crucial test in parliament. This is the latest phase of a long struggle over women's reproductive rights. It is also part of a changing Poland's wider debate about what kind of country it should be, says Agnieszka Mrozik.

The possibilities and impossibilities of being a neighbour

Daniel Zylbersztajn 4 November 2011

German-born Daniel Zylbersztajn has recently returned to Poland, two months after his father's passing away. In the son, this has prompted thoughts on neighbourly relations and the meaning of transformative dialogue in general, taking account of his experiences in Jewish - Palestinian dialogue and his upbringing in Germany.

This week's editor

Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

Europe from the bottom up

European Union stars in Paris. Flickr/notarim. Some rights reserved.

A new Europe can only come from the bottom up
Etienne Balibar

A social Europe must be a political Europe
Bo Stråth

As Europe is provincialized: a reply to Etienne Balibar
Sandro Mezzadra

European debate

A republican call for a basic income
Daniel Raventos and Julie Wark

Nuclear non-proliferation

oDRussia at journalismfestival .com

Mali - the plot thickens

Remote control war

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