STRONG LEADERS, WEAK CIVIL SOCIETY? THE IMPACT OF PARTY LEADERSHIP ON DEPOLITICIZATION IN POLAND

Piotr Rutkowski, Marian Jasiukiewicz, Józef Soroka, Wiesław Bokajło, Marek Zimnak

Abstract


The article investigates the impact of centralized party leadership on Poland’s depoliticization of civil society. Focusing on political figures such as Jarosław Kaczyński and Donald Tusk, it explores how hierarchical governance and personal leadership styles have reshaped political parties, reduced grassroots participation, and marginalized independent civil society organizations. This transformation has led to diminished democratic engagement and heightened societal polarization. The study critically analyses the implications of these leadership trends for democratic norms and civil society resilience, offering insights into the broader challenges faced by post-communist democracies. Recommendations include fostering inclusivity in governance, revitalizing civil society, and mitigating polarizing leadership effects to support Poland’s democratic trajectory.

Keywords


Centralized leadership, depoliticization, civil society, democracy, Poland, political polarization

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.19197/tbr.v22i1.371

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