Jan Zielonka: Democracy on the National Altar

In Poland, the discourse surrounding democracy and national identity is particularly nuanced, and the insights from Filip Milacic's research, as discussed in Rzeczpospolita, offer a compelling lens through which to view contemporary political trends. The article probes the uncomfortable question of whether citizens are increasingly willing to place the nation above democratic processes, a sentiment that resonates deeply within a country with a complex history of striving for sovereignty.

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Democracy ceases to be a value in itself and becomes a tool subordinated to the overarching goal of saving the nation from annihilation.

Milacic's findings, based on studies in Poland, Serbia, Turkey, Israel, and Hungary, suggest a common thread: political leaders exploit anxieties about national identity and security to justify undermining democratic norms. This framing positions democracy not as an intrinsic good, but as a potential impediment to the 'will of the nation,' especially when external threats, real or perceived, loom large. From a Polish perspective, where the memory of partitions and struggles for independence is potent, the idea of prioritizing national survival is not alien, making the erosion of democratic safeguards a particularly sensitive issue.

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When the nation's sovereignty or its cultural, ethnic, or religious identity is threatened, it is easy to convince the voter that civil liberties or power-limiting procedures must be suspended because they allegedly restrict the 'will and interest of the nation.'

What makes this analysis particularly relevant for Polish readers is its challenge to the simplistic view that anti-democratic sentiment is solely the product of populist manipulation. By pointing to historical and structural factors, the research invites a deeper reflection on why national identity has become such a powerful political currency. The article implicitly asks: if democracy is to be defended, perhaps proponents need a more compelling narrative about the nation itself, one that doesn't cede the ground to nationalist appeals. This is a conversation Rzeczpospolita, as a publication often engaged with Poland's place in Europe and its historical identity, is well-positioned to facilitate.

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Defenders of democracy should, instead of merely criticizing nationalism, create their own narrative about the nation, because 'nationalism in itself is not a destructive force. It can also be a force for good.'