The Study of the Polish Territorial Defense Force: Historical Insights and Policy Considerations

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article aims to acquaint the reader with the history of Polish paramilitarism and territorial defense and provide the political and security context for the creation of the newly formed Territorial Defense Force (TDF or Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej, WOT). The article takes as its premise that an analysis of the potential role and impact of the Territorials cannot be separated from the historical conditionalities that shaped the evolution of this type of military formation in Poland. One must examine the social, cultural, and historical context of the Polish paramilitary and territorial defense traditions to understand why the TDF is such a divisive issue. Furthermore, knowledge of the wider political and security background factors is necessary. To this end, the concepts of paramilitary, militia, and national or home guard are delineated. On this basis, Polish historical experience is scrutinized and then juxtaposed with contemporary challenges, which sheds light on wider implications of this military force.