| To Dr Richard Adams-Dzierzba, President, Federation of Polish Associations in NSW, 182 Liverpool Rd., Ashfield NSW 2131. Dear Dr Adams-Dzierzba.
Thank you for your letter regarding the lecture Is Democracy in Poland in Danger?
I am sorry that your expectations for the lecture were not met, but I cannot agree that you
were misled. While the title of the lecture was indeed in the form of a question, the
abstract published on the SDN website to publicize the lecture made it quite clear that the
speaker invited to address this question would suggest an answer – rather than offering a
summary of two or more possible cases. The website statement reads as follows:
A recent series of controversial moves by the new Polish Government, especially the
weakening of the Constitutional Tribunal and subjecting the public media to ministerial
appointments and supervision, have triggered mass protests in Poland and concerns
among EU officials.
Professor Jan Pakulski analyses these developments in the broader context of the rapid
economic development, new social divisions, and the polarisation within the Polish political
elite combined with electoral re-alignment. He argues that Poland shows some symptoms
of ‘political decay’, weakening liberal democracy, and gradual transition towards populist
‘leader democracy’.
As I’m sure you are aware, the lecture on Poland of 24 February reflects the general
interest of the Sydney Democracy Network on tracking and exploring the unfolding
European crisis and exploring it from many different vantage points. I think Professor
Keane made clear at the lecture that the fate of central Europe is of particular interest, but
the special focus for the SDN over the next little while will be on the future of the Ukraine
with the recently launched Ukraine Democracy Initiative.
I am sure that other lectures on Poland will be held in the future offering different views. I have also made Professor Keene aware of your concerns. Yours sincerely, Barbara Caine, Professor of History. Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.15th July 2016.
Related links - our previous publications in Puls Polonii:
Prof. Pakulski's Lecture - audio files
Antypolska impreza w Sydney
Fair or Faul. Is democracy in Poland in danger
Toxic passions
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