Marek A. Cichocki: A country of simulated development and amateur politics

Poland faces a greater threat than the war in the East: the entrenchment of a political system characterized by stagnation and internal blockage. This system, the author argues, is actively destroying Poland's primary advantage – its dynamic capacity for seeking independent development. While Poles may pride themselves on being a great nation and believe they have "become the West," this self-perception is dangerously complacent. The reality is that Western Europe, despite its own challenges, retains a vast comparative advantage in accumulated wealth, resources, institutions, and social organization.

This perceived progress, described as a "thin layer of fat," has created a false sense of security. Poland has rapidly closed the gap in recent years, but the established Western powers remain a "well-oiled and ruthless machine." The author warns that this is not the time for self-congratulation or assuming the future is secure. Poland is still in its early stages of development, akin to "just stopped crawling," and now faces the "storm from the East."

The current political status quo, marked by stagnation, is therefore a critical danger. While accumulated advantage doesn't guarantee success, and even well-oiled machines can self-destruct, Poland's unique strength lies in its "vitality and stubborn ability to seek its own paths of development and independence." A system that fosters stagnation undermines this crucial edge. The author criticizes the political landscape since 2023, suggesting that replacing one party with another has resulted in "simulated development" and "amateurish politics," perpetuating a mindset from the 1990s. This trajectory, viewed against the backdrop of Poland's development dynamics and existential threats, represents a "downward slope."

Ultimately, any attempt to break through the stagnation and internal blockage in the political system is preferable to maintaining the current status quo. The article advocates for proactive change, emphasizing that Poland's future depends on overcoming its internal political inertia and leveraging its inherent capacity for independent growth, especially in the face of regional instability.

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Wobec Zachodu naszą główną komparatywną przewagą nie okazała się wcale tania siła robocza peryferii, ale pełna żywotności i uporu zaskakująca zdolność do szukania własnych dróg rozwoju i niezależności.