Political Life In Poland

Timetable

Monday 06.30 - 08.00 P.M.

Faculty of Political Science and Journalism

5 Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego Street

61-614 Poznań

Room 125

Module aim (aims)

The course is an introduction to the political scene in Poland and it is addressed mainly to English-speaking foreign students. After an introduction to the actual setting of Polish politics including constitutional developments, the electoral system and political parties, several major themes are explored. The focus is on the pragmatics of the system. The last part of the course is devoted to Poland's foreign policy.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Basic knowledge in political science

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction
Week 2: The essence of politics
Week 3: The setting of Polish politics
Week 4: Foundations of Polish politics 1
Week 5: Foundations of Polish politics 2
Week 6: Basic values and constitutional principles in Poland 1
Week 7: Basic values and constitutional principles in Poland 2
Week 8: Elections in Poland and policy alternatives 1
Week 9: Elections in Poland and policy alternatives 2
Week 10: Representation, executive power and policy making 1
Week 11: Representation, executive power and policy making 2
Week 12: Polish foreign policy
Week 13: Polish press and politics
Week 14:Essays presentations
Week 15:Final evaluation

Reading list

Adam, J. (1996). Why did the Socialist System Collapse in Central and Eastern European Countries? The Case of Poland, the former Czechoslovakia and Hungary. London, UK: Macmillan Press LTD.
Beyme von, K. (2003). "Constitutional Engineering in Central and Eastern Europe", in: S. White, J. Batt, P. G. Lewis (eds) Developments in Central and East European Politics 3. New York, USA: Palgrave MacMillan.
Faulkner, S./ McLoughlin, J./ Owsiak, S. (1999). "Polish Transition Ten Years On: An Introduction", in: S. Faulkner, J. McLoughlin, S. Owsiak (eds.) Polish Transition Ten Years On - Processes and Perspectives. Aldershot-Brookfield USA-Singapore-Sydney: Ashgate.
Grabbe, H. (2003). "The Implications of EU Enlargement", in: S. White, J. Batt, P. G. Lewis (eds) Developments in Central and East European Politics 3. New York, USA: Palgrave MacMillan.
Jasiewicz, K. (2003). "Elections and Voting Behaviour", in: S. White, J. Batt, P. G. Lewis (eds) Developments in Central and East European Politics 3. New York, USA: Palgrave MacMillan.
Kolankiewicz, G. (1993). "Poland", in: S. Whitefield (ed.) The New Institutional Architecture of Eastern Europe. London, UK: St. Martin.s Press.
Kopecki, P. (2003). "Structures of Representation: The New Parliaments of Central and Eastern Europe", in: S. White, J. Batt, P. G. Lewis (eds) Developments in Central and East European Politics 3. New York, USA: Palgrave MacMillan.
Krok-Paszkowska, A. (2003). "Samoobrona: the Polish self-defence movement", in: P. Koptecky, C. Mudde (eds) Uncivil Society? Contentious politics in post-communist Europe. London and New York, UK and USA: Routledge.
Lewis, P. G. (2003). "Political Parties", in: S. White, J. Batt, P. G. Lewis (eds) Developments in Central and East European Politics 3. New York, USA: Palgrave MacMillan.
Mikulowski Pomorski, J. (1999). "Post-Communist Europe and the Understanding of Change: The Case of Poland", in: S. Faulkner, J. McLoughlin, S. Owsiak (eds) Polish Transition Ten Years On - Processes and Perspectives. Aldershot-Brookfield USA-Singapore-Sydney: Ashgate.
Milard, F. (2003). "Poland", in: S. White, J. Batt, P. G. Lewis (eds) Developments in Central and East European Politics 3. New York, USA: Palgrave MacMillan.
Pastusiak, L. (2000). "Civilian Control of the Polish Armed Forces: A Case Study of Democratic Political and Cultural Transitions", in: R. F. Farnen, H. Dekker, D. B. German, R. Meyenberg (eds) Democracises in Transition: Political Culture and Socialization Transformed in West and East. Oldenburg, Germany: Bibliotheks- und Informationssystem der Universitat Oldenburg.
Pridham, G. (2003). "Democratization in Central and Eastern Europe: A Comparative Perspective", in: S. White, J. Batt, P. G. Lewis (eds) Developments in Central and East European Politics 3. New York, USA: Palgrave MacMillan.
Roskin, M. G. (1997). The Rebirth of East Europe. Upper Saddle River, USA: Prentice Hall.
Smith, G. (1993). "Transitions to Liberal Democracy", in: S. Whitefield (ed.) The New Institutional Architecture of Eastern Europe. London, UK: St. Martin.s Press.
Stelmach, A. (2003). "Election law and elections in Poland in relation to European standards", in: Y. Choe, B. Hassler, S. Zyborowicz (eds) Sweden and Poland from a European Perspective. Some Aspects on the Integration Process. Huddinge, Sweden: Sodertorns hogskola.
Szmatka, J./ Mach, Z./ Mucha, J. (eds) Eastern European Societies on the Threshold of Change. Dyfed, Wales: The Edwin Mellen Press.
Taras, R. (1995). Consolidating Democracy in Poland. Oxford, UK: WestviewPress.
Taras, R. (2003). "Executive Leadership: Presidents and Governments", in: S. White, J. Batt, P. G. Lewis (eds) Developments in Central and East European Politics 3. New York, USA: Palgrave MacMillan.
Thackrah, J. R. (1987). Politics. London, UK: Heinemann.
Wallas, T. (2003). "European standards of political systems in relation to Polish reality", in: Y. Choe, B. Hassler, S. Zyborowicz (eds) Sweden and Poland from a European Perspective. Some Aspects on the Integration Process. Huddinge, Sweden: Sodertorns hogskola.
Węcławowicz, G. (1996). Contemporary Poland. Space and Society. London, UK: Westview Press.
Zyborowicz, S. (2006). “Alternation of Power as an Important Condition of Democracy”, E. Czerwinska-Schupp (eds), Values and Norms in the Age of Globalization, Wien, Austria:Peter Lang
Zyborowicz, S. (2003). "Democracy in the European perspective", in: Y. Choe, B. Hassler, S. Zyborowicz (eds) Sweden and Poland from a European Perspective. Some Aspects on the Integration Process. Huddinge, Sweden: Sodertorns hogskola.
Zyborowicz, S. (2000). "The Electoral Experience in Post-Communist Europe: Poland 1993-1995", in: R. F. Farnen, H. Dekker, D. B. German, R. Meyenberg (eds) Democracises in Transition: Political Culture and Socialization Transformed in West and East. Oldenburg, Germany: Bibliotheks- und Informations system der Universitat Oldenburg.