Polish federalist ideas between utopia and Realpolitik: geopolitical dimension and ideological entanglements (1863–1921)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The essay deals with the history of Polish federalist ideas, which have evolved from an ideological utopia to a broadly defined tool of Realpolitik politics. After the defeat of the January Uprising in 1863, Polish elites placed geopolitics at the core of the development of federalism in Polish political thought, especially in the context of ascertaining the geopolitical position ‘between Germany and Russia’. This model of situating Polish lands on the European map also determined the extensive circulation of federalist ideas among various political camps. After the outbreak of the First World War, the idea of federalism/federation/confederation became an important element of political rhetoric. Subsequently, federalist ideas turned into the ideological slogans of socialist circles and the National Democrat Party. Both political forces considered federalism merely as an instrument of Realpolitik and under the influence of specific political circumstances, without thinking about its implementation as a form of political structure. The tradition of Polish historiography on the two influential political doctrines – ‘federative’ and ‘incorporative’ – is questionable. This division needs to be revised.