Polish scholars offer insights on resisting authoritarianism in the Trump era
„In Poland, we know all about fighting illiberal regimes. Here are our lessons for the Trump age,” wrote two Polish experts in the British newspaper „The Guardian.”
The legendary Solidarity logo – representing the movement that helped overthrow the communist regime in Poland – was featured during a multimedia drone show in Warsaw on 27 April 2025, celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the coronation of Poland’s first king.Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański
Karolina Wigura, a sociologist and historian of ideas at the University of Warsaw, and Jarosław Kuisz, editor-in-chief of Kultura Liberalna and a lecturer at the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Law, argue that Poland’s experience in resisting communism offers valuable insights for modern societies facing a resurgence of authoritarianism.
What Poland can teach us about defending democracy
The academics note that Poland’s „political history is one of catastrophe, communism, and developing powerful antibodies against oppression.” They highlight how, „in 2016, one year after the rightwing populist Law and Justice party won an overall majority in Poland,” tactics reminiscent of the communist era, including informal pressure on media and civil society, re-emerged.
In response, Polish citizens drew on their historical „antibodies” – past experiences of resisting authoritarianism – to defend democracy through civic engagement, generational solidarity, legal vigilance, public resilience, and the development of long-term political alternatives.
As highlighted in The Guardian, the researchers stress that democracy must be actively defended and encourage societies, particularly in the United States, to learn from Poland’s experience in resisting oppressive regimes.
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Source: The Guardian/X/@theguardianfeed
