PIĘĆ LAT POLSKI W UNII EUROPEJSKIEJ JAKO PRZEDMIOT DEBATY PUBLICZNEJ
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Date
2009
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Wydział Prawa i Administracji UAM
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POLAND’S FIVE YEARS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION IN PUBLIC DEBATE
Abstract
The paper focuses on the main threads of the public debate on Poland’s place in the European
Union that have been argued since 1 May 2004, the date of Poland’s EU accession. It presents
different interests (i.e. goals considered beneficial) and values (i.e. goals considered just and fair) that
are being pointed out by different social groups. The ongoing dispute may be viewed as a classical
opposition that exists between the modernisation theory and the dependence theory, where the main
focus, or object, is to find the “golden means” or “happy medium” between the wide opening and full
participation in the global system, or closing up in an attempt to preserve economic independence and
protect national values and traditions. Those issues have become fundamental political and
ideological arguments dividing Poland internally. The are voiced by EU-enthusiasts, EU-realists,EU-sceptics, and (in the smallest number) EU-opponents. Each group claims to act in Poland’s
national interest (albeit understood differently by different groups) but whatever the reason, this
debate is taking place in a country whose citizens, Poles, are the greatest EU-enthusiasts on the
continent, experiencing the concrete material economic benefits and civilisation progress flowing from
it, and seeing the Community regulations as a guarantor of a “return to normality”. The debate on the
European Union and Poland as its member is gradually becoming more specific. What is more, it
begins to demonstrate certain elements of irony, auto-irony and humour, being the best proof that
Poles are becoming more conscious and self-assured members of the EU community.
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Ruch Prawniczy, Ekonomiczny i Socjologiczny 71, 2009, z. 2, s. 457-475