Poland’s political history has been one of immense struggle — shaped by centuries of occupation, communist rule, and oppression. Yet, despite the dark past, Poland has developed a unique resilience, fostering a strong resistance to illiberal regimes. It is these lessons, borne out of hardship, that can offer invaluable guidance to democracies today, particularly those facing the rise of right-wing populism and authoritarian tendencies, such as the United States under Donald Trump.
The year 2016 was a turning point in Poland. One year after the right-wing populist Law and Justice (PiS) party secured an overall majority, a knock on the door of a journalist’s mother’s home marked the beginning of a campaign by the Polish authorities against the media and civil society. This was no ordinary knock — it was the security services, looking for her son without offering any further details. This moment marked the beginning of a disturbing pattern of behaviour, where the government sought to control, suppress, and intimidate independent journalism and opposition voices. The authorities’ crackdown was not limited to just journalists; think tanks, civil society groups, and anyone who stood in opposition to the PiS found themselves under threat.
In the wake of this incident, the team at Kultura Liberalna, the think tank of which the authors of this piece are a part, found themselves deeply concerned. The journalist’s family had been confronted by the security services, and reports of similar actions began emerging. In a moment of uncertainty, the team reached out to Aleksander Smolar, the legendary anti-communist dissident who had been a key figure in Poland’s resistance to Soviet-era authoritarianism. Smolar, who had his own NGO, shared his wisdom. “Don’t worry, we’ve had a playbook for this kind of situation since the 1960s,” he reassured them. The response was one of resilience — the knowledge that Poland’s history had forged strategies to survive under oppression.
This exchange was an enlightening moment for the team. As they listened to Smolar, it became clear that Poland’s response to a regime of this nature was not just instinctive; it was informed by history. They realised they were not simply dealing with a new, far-right government in the present day, but one that reflected the authoritarian governments Poland had endured in the past. The playbook Smolar referred to was one that had been crafted over decades, if not centuries, of adversity. It was a set of practices, strategies, and ideas developed through generations of Polish intellectuals, dissidents, and activists. It was borne out of the need to resist communist oppression, foreign occupation, and the loss of national sovereignty.
This historical experience has equipped Poland with the political antibodies necessary to combat the forces of illiberalism. Despite the oppressive forces of the PiS government, Polish civil society has developed a robust, resilient response to authoritarianism. When the government sought to seize control of state institutions, curtail the independence of the judiciary, and silence critical media outlets, Poland’s history of resistance and dissent became a source of strength.
Looking back at Poland’s history, the country has often found itself under foreign rule. The partitions of the late 18th century divided the Polish state between the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Austrian Empire. Even during the 20th century, the state was subjected to invasions, occupations, and communism under the Soviet Union. Each time, however, the Polish people fought back. The resilience of Poland’s political culture is largely due to these difficult and formative experiences. Each period of occupation or authoritarian rule sharpened the Polish people’s capacity to resist.
When the PiS government began its authoritarian turn in 2015, it was clear that Poland’s long tradition of resistance would once again be called upon. Civil society, intellectuals, activists, and independent journalists were the first to fight back, using the playbook that had been passed down from previous generations. The playbook included strategies of non-violent resistance, the importance of independent media, and a focus on the preservation of democratic institutions. The tools that had once been used to combat communism were now being used to combat the new authoritarianism in Poland.
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This historical context is critical when thinking about the current political climate in the United States. As many democracies struggle with the rise of illiberalism, the lessons from Poland are invaluable. Much like Poland, the United States faces a challenge from an increasingly authoritarian government. Under former President Donald Trump, the U.S. witnessed the erosion of democratic norms, the attack on the free press, and the undermining of key democratic institutions. While the political climate in the U.S. is vastly different from Poland’s, the broader principles of resistance to illiberal regimes remain relevant.
The Polish experience demonstrates that democracies can and do fight back against illiberalism. Resistance, however, requires a strong civil society, a robust press, and a commitment to the rule of law. Poland’s history shows that even in the darkest of times, there is a way forward. With the right strategies and unwavering commitment to democratic values, societies can protect themselves from the rise of authoritarianism.
As democracies in the West — including the United States — continue to grapple with the erosion of democratic norms, the lessons from Poland’s history are a reminder of the importance of resilience, resistance, and the need for strong civil institutions. Poland’s ability to stand against oppression offers hope for those who are fighting similar battles in other parts of the world. The history of Polish resilience is a testament to the power of people coming together to defend their freedoms — a lesson that the world must not forget.
