The Strategies and Policies for Consolidation of the Liberal Democracy in Poland since 2005: Focusing on the Governments of PiS and PO

Abstract

This paper analyzes the consolidation of liberal democracy in Poland after 2005 based on the system transition stage theory. The nine indicators are selected for it: the guarantee of basic rights, the separation of powers, the government changes by elections, the existence of non-official power groups, the stabilization of the political party system, the operation of the market, the guarantee of private property rights, economic development, the development of civil society, the spread of democratic political culture, and a fair free media. Since PiS took power in 2015, the independence of the judiciary has been greatly threatened through reforms to the constitutional order. The basic rights guaranteed in the constitution were also limited by the enactment and revision of the Police Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the Assembly Act. The changes of government through elections have been successfully implemented since the system transition in 1989, but the party system has not been stabilized due to the merger and division between parties. Almost all economic indicators in the economic sphere show that Poland has succeeded in its transition to the market economy system. Polish civil society has gradually increased its power. PiS is increasing its control over the media through the amendments of related laws. Overall, during the PiS rule, the consolidation of liberal democracy is regressing.