THE EFFECTS OF INTERNAL DYNAMICS ON THE DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING PROCESS IN EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: THE CASE OF POLAND

Abstract

Poland, a significant country in Eastern Europe, has traversed a notable journey of democratization, transitioning from socialism in a multi-phased process. Under socialist rule from 1945 to 1989, Poland transitioned peacefully to democracy. This research explores the key internal dynamics that have influenced Poland’s path to democratization. These dynamics include the roles of political parties and civil society organizations, some of which have positively impacted the democratization process, while others have posed challenges. A critical aspect of this study is examining how a populist government, elected in 2015, could potentially undermine the foundations of democracy that Poland had been building since its departure from socialism. This scenario underscores the fragility of democratic systems and highlights the importance of understanding the various internal factors that can either strengthen or weaken the democratic process.

Keywords

• Poland
• Democratization
• PiS

DOĞU AVRUPA ÜLKELERİNDE İÇ DİNAMİKLERİN DEMOKRATİK GERİLEME SÜRECİ ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİLERİ: POLONYA ÖRNEĞİ

Abstract

Doğu Avrupa’nın önemli ülkelerinden biri olan Polonya, sosyalizmden çok aşamalı bir süreçle geçiş yaparak kayda değer bir demokratikleşme yolculuğu geçirmiştir. Polonya, 1945’ten 1989’a kadar sosyalist yönetim altında barışçıl bir şekilde demokrasiye geçiş yapmıştır. Bu araştırma, Polonya’nın demokratikleşme sürecini etkileyen temel iç dinamikleri incelemeye odaklanmaktadır. Bu dinamikler arasında siyasi partilerin ve sivil toplum kuruluşlarının rolleri de yer almakta olup, bunlardan bazıları demokratikleşme sürecini olumlu yönde etkilerken, bazıları da bu sürece meydan okumuştur. Bu çalışmanın kritik bir yönü, 2015 yılında seçilen popülist bir hükümetin, Polonya’nın sosyalizmden ayrılmasından bu yana inşa ettiği demokrasinin temellerini nasıl zayıflatabileceğinin incelenmesidir. Bu senaryo, demokratik sistemlerin kırılganlığının altını çizmekte ve demokratik süreci güçlendirebilecek ya da zayıflatabilecek çeşitli iç faktörleri anlamanın önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Polonya
• Demokratikleşme
• PiS

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