International Relations Studies in Poland: An Essay on Trends in Research and Theory

Abstract

International relations studies developed as a scientific discipline in Poland primarily after World War II. Major research institutions in this field are the Polish Institute of International Affairs in Warsaw, the Western Institute in Poznan, the Research Institute on Contemporary Capitalism in Warsaw, the Silesian Institute in Katowice, and several political science institutes at major Polish universities. International relations in Poland has been treated as a part of political science, but there seems to be a growing tendency to treat it as a separate and independent discipline. This article presents views of Polish scholars concerning the substantive and theoretical aspects of international relations. It also notes both the strengths and current shortcomings of Polish political science. Polish scholarship is noteworthy in the study of local government and in the analysis of political issues examined in sociological and legalistic terms. In the realm of international relations, regional or area studies, e.g., German studies, European security, all-European cooperation problems, American studies, and developing area studies are being productively investigated. However, the shortcomings of international relations studies in Poland include the areas of methodology, empirical studies, decision-making studies, and theoretical approaches and analyses. Although political science and international relations are still among the youngest scientific disciplines in Poland, in terms of number of research centers, publications, and pedagogy, the discipline can boast major achievements in Poland.