The prototype of the Polish Ministry of abroad Affairs was the Department of abroad Interests, established within the framework of the Continuing Council (i.e. the first government established on the initiative of Catherine II) in 1775.
It was headed by a Lithuanian aristocrat Joachim Litawor Chreptovich, which in the past of the Polish abroad service we can boldly call the first abroad Minister of the Republic (for this position he was formally appointed as part of the Law defender in 1791).
The call for this historical office is linked to the unfortunate association that the then ministerium primarily serves ‘foreign interests’ or ‘foreign interests’. Unfortunately, this association became a circumstantial curse of Polish abroad policy of the following centuries. Paradoxical primacy of "foreign interests" in various parts of Polish quasi-statehood in the 19th century, through the Second Republic, the period of the Polish People's Republic, until the 3rd of Poland, decided that Polish politics and diplomacy were and are now an easy prey of addictions and objects of abroad instrumentalization.
The change of government in Poland A.D. 2023 may constitute any historical caesura in this long degradation process
Especially as an experienced government authoritative is appointed to the position of Minister of abroad Affairs, who is present in the planet and understands modern power rivalry. But does he besides realize well what is expected of him and the full government, especially from the point of view of national interests?
The fresh Minister of Customs wrote in a book summarizing his office in Szucha Avenue in 2007-2014 that "learning through governance is simply a costly form of education" (R. Sikorski, Poland can be better. Kulisy of Polish diplomacy, Kraków 2018, p. 7). We are waiting, therefore, that after many years of comprehensive practice and intellectual reflection, man returns to the control of abroad policy with critical thoughts, besides in relation to himself and his political environment, capable of redefining the foundations of the ideological-political Polish participation in global relations. Ready to redefine and revalue many dogmatic assumptions and pathetic declarations, under which there are many errors, omissions and bitterness.
This is Poland's policy for Poland!
A policy serving the performance of Polish interests, not a policy of a butler towards anyone from outside due to peculiar privileges – whether hegemon or pariah. This task already requires large wisdom and courage, due to the fact that 1 must yet call it by name, that aliens frequently insolently and unlawfully compose different scenarios for Poland, and the rulers of “Wiślania and Odrzenia” (here behind Zbigniew Rokita), regardless of political provenance, stay in akin external dependence (as not from America, but from Germany and the European Union, as not from Ukraine, Israel) and humbly follow abroad instructions.
So 1 would like to have a minister with his own opinion and character, who understands "the request of history", due to which sometimes individual needs to "do grace", but at the same time able to boldly articulate Polish rations and assertively defend them, without succumbing to influences, pressures, fashions, or even patronizing jokes and compliments. Maintaining a intellectual “distance” in interpersonal communication is frequently more valuable than a pathetic rechoking after proceeding a inexpensive compliment. The fact that “Washington hears” is more offensive than flattering in its pronunciation to the Polish audience. So sadly, I am receiving a message from the American ambassador during a gathering with the fresh talker of the Sejm.
Poles are deprived of initiative and independency in abroad policy at their own request. Instead of operating with their reason and an independent language of analysis, all the enunciations of abroad ministers of fresh years have been a carbon of Anglo-Saxon explanation of global phenomena and processes. Any debate with specialised, professional and regional backgrounds has disappeared. erstwhile celebrated meetings at the Palace on Foksal went into oblivion. And advisory or expert teams have been politicised and ideologied, as interpreted by the authorities in force.
Thus, in the process of building normality, we must begin with doctrinal foundations. abroad policy must be restored to its essential function of building the global position of the state. Under the direction of the Minister of abroad Affairs, an interministerial debate on the status, perception and reputation of Poland in the global environment should begin. What global roles can Poland realistically plan and implement? Until now, it has ended in emptyness, desire, and godly wishes. They closed their eyes to failure and practically no 1 was held responsible.
Most can be expected after the return of Polish activity to western structures. We have a unique chance to start speaking the language of truth, not ideological slogans and phrases in the EU's groups as well as in the Natowskis. The Collective West now needs deep reflection on itself and sanitization, due to moral degrengolade, the demolition of legal standards and the focus on exclusive, competitive and confrontational strategies. This is best seen in the example of conflict with Russia and China. But besides the disaster of Palestine, where genocide is carried out in front of the world, requires a fresh look at the alleged Western solidarity in defence of the right to the existence of all nations, including Palestinians from Gaza, facing the planet of Israeli extermination.
After years of observing the practice of diplomatic protocol and searching for teaching needs of various cases of abroad residence, I wonder why in the Polish abroad service there is so small professionalism in the next generations, and so much stupid improvisation and thoughtless spontaneity, especially towards powerful protectors. Rather, they should mask and hide certain pronunciations, so as not to betray that individual is insolently controlling us. Similarly, we should never show that we care about individual or something very much. It weakens, not strengthens our own powers and capabilities.
Meanwhile, among Polish officials, diplomats and even the highest notables there is child's naivety and the unreflective joy of allowing the “cessional tables”, which leads to a paleness and embarrassment (for example, a celebrated image of the president standing in the corner of Trump's desk).
It was akin with a large "personal" relationship between Duda and Zelenski, who left a deep taste in many observers. many facets and humiliations from Ukrainian side were long hidden by the Polish authorities and the media in the name of “a higher force”, i.e. solidarity with the militant Ukraine. But were they sobering? After all, Poland inactive insists that Ukraine (with all the features contrary to the alleged values of the West) should become part of NATO and the European Union as shortly as possible. Why don't the fresh minister review this "mantra" rationally? After all, in the close and long term, this means that it will harm the Polish state and its citizens.
The programme of reconstruction of independent, internal-control (let's be realistic – not entirely sovereign) abroad policy must surely begin with the restoration of the Ministry of abroad Affairs to the central function of conceptualization and coordination of abroad policy and service. It is not essential to be a sharp observer of political life, not to announcement that individual decision centres have torn apart what constitutes a coherent full in global matters – control of information, decision making and supervision of their implementation.
Therefore, the decision-making centre in global matters must lie within the government and its closely coordinated agendas, not in competitive centres. Despite the inaccuracy of constitutional provisions in this matter, the rule must be clarified in the parliamentary debate that the creator and contractor of abroad policy is the government, and the head of state – regardless of the political camp from which it originates – legitimises this policy. Yes, it legitimizes, or justifies, promotes and gives the right rank, alternatively than up to something on his own. Any sign of the competitiveness or rivalry of the presidential centre with the government demonstrates only its usurpation and is detrimental to the state. There is no place in Poland for the “division of self” ruling in global matters,
There are not only constitutional laws in favour of specified solutions, but besides the disastrous effects of fragmentation and inefficiency on many levels. It's time to learn from these experiences. It is time to rationalise the decision-making process. I know it's easy to write, and it's very hard to implement in existing human and human conditions. But the sooner the fresh government takes action, the more effective it will deal with the disaster. From the presidential center in the name of the state's right (she is 1 and it is only the ruling who specify her!) 1 should anticipate pragmatic cooperation, or at least not disturbing and not harming.
The abroad policy of the state is simply a manifestation and symbol of its sovereign decisions in relations with the outside world. And although in today's interdependent and globalized planet even large powers are not entirely sovereign, each of them attaches importance to being able to effectively influence others, form the dynamics, scale and depth of the changes that happen around them and in a wide global environment. The request for global activity and affiliation with others is as crucial as the air for breathing surviving organisms. It is simply a request of an existential, permanent and permanent nature.
Each country's abroad policy is its "window to the world", it is its participation in multidimensional global trade, it is yet the definition and defence of its own interests in an highly complex and diverse global environment. Recognizing the nature of this environment requires competence and experience. Many phenomena are hidden (from the intention of the participants starting), information intertwines with disinformation, and ignorance with misperception. The participation of many politicians and governments in a crazy intellectual war best shows how far we have strayed from the standards of cold analysis.
A scheda on the regulation of the United Right...
in the field of ‘foreign interests’ is unenviable. Many matters, especially those relating to the restoration of average diplomatic communication, are to be resolved in a comparatively short time. Human resources are limited and unprofessional, but they can be gradually supplemented by a competition.
In the 3rd Polish Republic a multi-thousand army of specialists has been educated in the last 3 decades, even at the largest Faculty of Political Sciences and global Studies in Poland. They are scattered across different public and private institutions, just look around. It's the biggest and best, due to the fact that it's a political staff resource. Many graduates were winners of various competitions and winners of prizes of successive abroad ministers. All you gotta do is look at the records of these people.
On the another hand, there is simply a broader reflection on the usage of the indigenous intellectual possible by the power holders. Already today, we see any openness to fresh environments. But more would be desirable if the real civilian service was yet restored, the offices were depoliticized, and the recidivism of the stubbornness and abuse of the state was blocked.
One of the most crucial departments of civilian service is abroad service. These are all officers of the alleged office and external institutions (diploma, consulate, various missions) who, thanks to their competence, decide on the effectiveness of the actions and influences of the global state. erstwhile the clear eligibility criteria and transparent recruitment of diplomatic staff are restored, Polish diplomacy will rapidly recover. But first, the origin of pathology must be systematically eradicated. First of all, to end erstwhile and for all with the long-established doctrine that diplomatic missions are synecural "warm jobs", frequently fulfilling long-term recreational and tourist functions alternatively than professional ones. We must begin to seriously account for ambassadors from their activity and accomplishments. They must, however, have smart, central instructions, expert advice and logistical support. In the age of information technology and artificial intelligence, the functions of diplomacy must be thoroughly reconstructed.
It will be hard to repair image damage, which postpones long years in the human psyche, determining various idiosyncracies, prejudices and attitudes, blocking the return to the erstwhile state. Therefore, the ministry must focus on fresh and first ideas, for example in attracting interest in our country, again with good will in promoting global dialogue, respecting moral and legal standards. Poland can stifle global life, provided it gets out of the way of ideological crusades, democratization missions and sick prometeism. no of the neighboring nations anticipate specified activity.
It is worth to revive the proven formats of the Visegrad “plurilogue” (yes, yes, and from Hungary a lot can be learned!), weimarski, or even Kaliningrad (this is so far absolute heresy!). In the context of collapse of all Western plans related to the creation of Ukraine for “great democracy” and Zelenski for “the conqueror of the empire of evil”, the Polish minister can contribute to a gradual retreat from the insane war policy to reconstruct normality. He is most likely well aware that, thanks to the war in Ukraine, various "dark star types" play a more crucial function in politics than could be expected.
Therefore, 1 of the most crucial problems to diagnose and regulate is interior and global lobbying in Polish politics, not only foreign. In fresh years, the psychosis of fighting Russian influence for political purposes has been unleashed. But real lobbyists hide under the masks of the top patriots and defenders of the homeland, collaborating on all possible fronts, even Saudi. No committees of enquiry will aid here, due to the fact that the problem boils down to a reliable diagnosis of lobbying in global relations. This phenomenon is common and Poland is neither a peculiar case nor an exception to abroad influences. All you gotta do is handle this problem skillfully, not blackmail 1 another.
It is so worth appealing to the fresh management of the Ministry of abroad Affairs that 1 of the large analytical problems, financed by the Ministry, be lobbying and lobbyies in Poland, as well as beyond its borders. It is about showing the sources, structures and forms of manifestation and implications for public life (politics and economy) of legal and illegal pressures and influences that are expressed in the state's regulatory sphere. Despite the various dislikes of American authors, the diagnosis of the Israeli lobby in the United States by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt 2 decades ago, it played an crucial function in knowing the identity of US policy in the mediate East (Israeli Lobby in the USA, Warsaw 2011).
It is not a secret that various external entities, from peculiar services starting, search not only to admit all the weaknesses of a given state, but above all to usage its resources for their own needs and interests. The fresh minister is most likely aware that the most powerful in Poland present is the Ukrainian lobby, visible both in public institutions, in economical life and in the media. To distract us from this phenomenon or to pretend that it is not there can cost us all dearly.
A brief essay is incapable to cover all the challenges and risks with which the fresh authorities will start attaching themselves. First of all, we must halt drinking the actuating force of others. Lessons should be learned from the humiliations experienced, the disloyalty of Ukrainian partners, as well as the reversal of existing reasoning, geared towards altruistic and selfless assistance, without any influence on the course of events. Each State shall take work for its actions and omissions and shall bear the costs. The American Republicans mature for specified a “discovery” by re-evaluated the “democratic internationalism” policy that he has given the planet Joe Biden with his paranoid imagination of military humiliation of Russia.
The time of fresh political realists is coming,
who, on the basis of a cool analysis of the current state, can make rational visions of the global order. Realism favours pragmatism, and even – about paradox – idealism. Poland could ask for a "half step forward" in this matter, both in terms of issues in the immediate vicinity of the war and the complications of relations within the Western system. The global connections of the fresh minister would let for the launch of the “broker diplomacy”. It primarily focuses on innovation and creativity. But besides discretion and discretion. Cardinal Richelieu liked to say that even if there is no immediate benefit from the discussions between the disputed parties, the dialog should be initiated and maintained "everywhere and continuously, openly or secretly" until the spark of hope for a salvific compromise yet flashes.
Prof. Stanisław Bielen
Think Poland, No. 51-52 (17-24.12.2023)
