Counter-movement at a critical juncture : A neo-Polanyian interpretation of the rise of the illiberal Right in Poland

Maciej Kassner,Sławomir Czech

doi:10.17356/ieejsp.v7i2.733

Maciej Kassner, Sławomir Czech

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.17356/ieejsp.v7i2.733

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Abstract

This article seeks to explain the causes of the growing popularity of the illiberal right, taking the Polish political party Law and Justice as an example. The adopted analytical approach combines insights derived from the work of Karl Polanyi and the tradition of historical institutionalism. The victory of Law and Justice in the 2015 Polish parliamentary elections is argued to constitute a critical juncture that initiated a fundamental break with the liberal order. Following Polanyi, we argue that the seeds of the recent anti-liberal counter-revolution can be found in the malfunctioning of the Polish economic order built during the period of transition. However, Law and Justice has managed to make use of the critical juncture arising from social discontent and has used it instrumentally to dismantle liberal constitutionalism and the rule of law.

Highlights

One of the most astonishing features of present-day European politics is the rise of farright political movements, which pose a threat to the liberal status quo that emerged after 1989 (Zielonka, 2018; Galston, 2018; see Lee, 2019)
We argue that the marriage of political and economic liberalism, despite overall sound economic performance and the apparent stability of liberal democracy, carried the seeds of its own demise
The Polish experiment with a market economy and liberal democracy after 1989 was founded on the illusion that relatively unfettered markets are compatible with political liberties

Summary

Introduction

One of the most astonishing features of present-day European politics is the rise of farright political movements, which pose a threat to the liberal status quo that emerged after 1989 (Zielonka, 2018; Galston, 2018; see Lee, 2019). Since the parliamentary election of 2015, which was won by the Law and Justice party (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość, : PiS), there has been an unprecedented turn away from co n e mo emen a a c i ical j nc e liberalism, manifesting in strong criticism of neoliberal economics, overt support for nationalist movements, rejection of the principles of tolerance and multiculturalism, anti-EU rhetoric, and a wholesale assault on the rule of law and the constitutional system of checks and balances. Far from aiming to establish a more socially embedded economy, PiS has adopted selective protectionist policies to consolidate its political power to an extent unseen in the years 1989–2015 In other words, both social reforms and a new narrative that rejects neoliberalism in favor of greater social solidarity have been instrumentally employed to win the political support necessary for dismantling liberal constitutionalism and the rule of law. The conclusion recapitulates the main points and speculates about possible future developments in Polish politics

Literature review: e rise of illiberal democracy

Second critical juncture: e illiberal Right in power

Findings

Conclusion