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This article seems weak - it is extremely disappointing that it was written by a research assistant and a 'professor'. This line here 'Eastern societies create

This article seems weak - it is extremely disappointing that it was written by a research assistant and a 'professor'. This line here 'Eastern societies created institutions primarily aimed at defence rather than economic development, even over the following centuries when the threat had long disappeared' - someone who know history of Eastern countries will be aware that those countries where constantly attacked by Western ones - Germany-Poland wars lasted between 1000-1400. Poland was under relative peace in the 16th century when it gained wealth ( according to some statistics, Polish Kingdom was the biggest importer of luxurious cloths at that time, and as we know today if basic needs are satisfied people turn into consumption). Then in the 17th century Poland was attacked by Swedes, Germans, Russians which started the dawn of the country which ended in the end of the 18th century by splitting Poland between Russia, Germany and Austro-Hungary. Then when Poland re-gained independency in the 20th century it stared building an army, economy was raising, then WWII happened during which Poland was completely destroyed and until today it did not receive any compensation from Germany, obviously after WWII Communist Russia ruled in Poland which didn't help the economy. Since 1989 Poland is developing again, nobody is attacking the country and it is developing again. I'd like to know taking into account the above citation when did the threat had long disappeare? Obviously taking into consideration the dates which the article mentions, not know, as there are no wars ATM. From my own experience Polish people are not EU sceptic, and the ruling party is not sceptic at all. The problem has far more deeper roots and is related to transformation process in which post-communist stayed in power even though the Communism collapsed. But this requires another article by people who know more than me.

danielam 7y ago
To add further to your point, while no one in the EU is currently mobilizing their armies across the Oder or the Neman, a synoptic view of history shows that the present situation is rather unusual, geopolitically and historical speaking. And just because armies aren't involved does not mean a kind of "soft" economic and cultural imperialism isn't at work, often through the abuse of EU institutions. Sadly, the Western media (which includes >80% of the media in Poland) ignorantly or maliciously misrepresents the ongoing political realities in Poland, employing simplistic, boorish and slanderous slogans to discredit anyone that could possibly disrupt the comfortable but corrupt status quo in the country and on the continent. Too often, people eat all that up because, frankly, Westerners known next to nothing about Poland and the region. Years of propaganda during the Cold War and before only encouraged crude and bigoted stereotypes that make it that much easier to push false narratives. N.b., for those interested in a brief introduction to Polish history, Adam Zamoyski's "Poland: A History" is worth a read.

danielam 7y ago

To add further to your point, while no one in the EU is currently mobilizing their armies across the Oder or the Neman, a synoptic view of history shows that the present situation is rather unusual, geopolitically and historical speaking. And just because armies aren't involved does not mean a kind of "soft" economic and cultural imperialism isn't at work, often through the abuse of EU institutions. Sadly, the Western media (which includes >80% of the media in Poland) ignorantly or maliciously misrepresents the ongoing political realities in Poland, employing simplistic, boorish and slanderous slogans to discredit anyone that could possibly disrupt the comfortable but corrupt status quo in the country and on the continent. Too often, people eat all that up because, frankly, Westerners known next to nothing about Poland and the region. Years of propaganda during the Cold War and before only encouraged crude and bigoted stereotypes that make it that much easier to push false narratives. N.b., for those interested in a brief introduction to Polish history, Adam Zamoyski's "Poland: A History" is worth a read.