Search

Begin New Search Content Type Journal Article Journal Polish Political Science Yearbook

11. The Power of Russian Propaganda: Identity-Related and Authoritarian-System Correlated Factors

Author:
Olga Nadskakuła-Kaczmarczyk
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
This article examines identity-related and authoritarian-system correlated factors, as well as how they influence the positive reception of government propaganda in Russia. Identity-related factors include references to specific historical contexts in the state propaganda narrative and a strengthening of specific values and social beliefs, mainly anti-Western ones, in order to achieve the desired social attitude towards the events under discussion. Authoritarian-system correlated factors include both tight regime control over the entire media landscape and issues related to political apathy, attitudes of conformism and manifestations of cynicism as essential elements of political culture in Russia. The methods of communication between the government and society learnt in the authoritarian system also create fertile ground for the impact of the state narrative: it is a specific combination of identity-related factors exploited by Kremlin propaganda (identity framing), as well as those connected to authoritarian settings, such as political apathy and its resulting consequences, that influence Russians’ susceptibility to state propaganda. These two elements, which work together, mean that Russian propaganda does not have to be persuasive to be effective – it should only strengthen and confirm the already encoded beliefs of the majority of citizens.
Topic:
Authoritarianism, Propaganda, Identity, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:
Russia, Eurasia, and Ukraine

12. Europeanisation of the European Union’s Cultural, Political and Social Dimensions as a Tool for Strengthening European Identity

Author:
Jadwiga Nadolska
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
Using the constructivist paradigm, in the article, the author diagnoses the potential of top-down, bottom-up, cross-loading and ad personam Europeanisation in strengthening the cultural, civic and functional dimensions of European identity. First, the trajectories of how national and European identity form are explained and compared, and the factors determining the development of three dimensions of European identity are examined. The study shows that if Europeanising processes are to be effective in strengthening European identity, they should be developed in a complementary way, in three areas: 1) European culture and education, 2) the pan-European political arena, and 3) reinforcement of the utilitarian legitimacy of the European integration project (e.g. the single market, the single currency, the Schengen Area, cohesion policy), with initiatives in the last area having the greatest potential to affect broad segments of European societies. This is related to the nature of European identity. In contrast to affective national identities, European identity is more cognitive, instrumental and functional, relying less on emotions and more on rational calculations and measurable benefits individuals experience through European integration. Positive effects in the utilitarian dimension of integration are felt not only by Europe’s elites but also by average citizens.
Topic:
European Union, Constructivism, Identity, and National Identity
Political Geography:
Europe

13. Resilience to Online Disinformation: The Role of Civil Society Organizations

Author:
Agnieszka Bejma and Yun-Ju Kao
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
The proliferation of online disinformation poses a serious threat to democratic societies, undermining electoral integrity, fueling polarization, and eroding public trust in institutions. Addressing this complex and evolving challenge cannot be the responsibility of governments or civil society actors alone. This article argues that civil society organizations (CSOs), when engaged as co-creators in democratic governance, play a vital role in fostering information resilience in the digital age. Drawing on comparative case studies from Taiwan and Poland: two democracies that have been frequent targets of foreign disinformation campaigns, we examine how CSOs respond to these threats through fact-checking, media monitoring, digital literacy education, and public awareness campaigns. Our findings show that CSOs not only expose misleading content but also empower citizens to critically engage with information ecosystems. The study contributes to the emerging literature on co-governance by demonstrating that effective responses to disinformation require multiactor collaboration, with CSOs serving as institutional partners in safeguarding democratic resilience.
Topic:
Civil Society, Governance, Democracy, Resilience, and Disinformation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

14. Regional Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region in an Unstable World: Opportunities, Challenges and Threats

Author:
Marta Szulc
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
The Baltic Sea Region has been a hub of interregional cooperation, evolving over an extended period of time. The region’s actors have faced and overcome significant challenges, such as the accession of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to the European Union (2004) and the development and implementation of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (2009). The theoretical framework that guided these integration processes was multilevel governance and Europeanisation, both in a top-down and bottomup approach and a critical juncture approach. The global challenges of recent years have reshaped the potential for collaboration in the region, creating new opportunities for enhanced cooperation and the challenges and risks associated with adapting to change. This article aims to identify the challenges, opportunities, and threats faced by the Baltic Sea Region in recent years and analyze how they have been addressed. The analysis will be based on foundational data and literature. It is hypothesized that the actors of regional cooperation from the Baltic Sea Region have responded with remarkable resilience and adaptability to the opportunities, possibilities, and threats they have faced in recent years, providing a reassuring outlook for the region’s future.
Topic:
Regional Cooperation, Governance, European Union, and Regional Politics
Political Geography:
Europe and Baltic States

15. Could the War Have Been Prevented? US Lessons from Russia’s War against Ukraine

Author:
Andrzej Demczuk
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
The main goal of this article is to analyze American leadership in the context of Russia’s War in Ukraine. Examining the role of the US is important because the results of the study might identify some US strategic and policy weaknesses, which, if applied, might prevent other wars from happening. The main research question has been formulated: Could the Russian War in Ukraine have been prevented? The author’s work is based mainly on the analysis of the interviews with policymakers from the first circle of people in power, mostly the presidents’ advisers who have been particularly involved in implementing American foreign policy towards Russia and Ukraine since the end of the Cold War, as well as Ukrainian officials and those participating in the US-led coalition. US lessons from Russia’s War in Ukraine are of particular significance today, when the world faces a possible confrontation in the Indo-Pacific region between China and Taiwan, as well as the spread of the Middle East turmoil.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, International Security, Leadership, and Russia-Ukraine War
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

16. Protecting Employee Privacy and Security in the Age of Digital Performance Monitoring: A Legal Comparative Analysis of Post-Communist Countries – Poland, Croatia, and the Republic of North Macedonia

Author:
Dorota Domalewska, Sanja Tišma, and Katerina Veljanovska Blazhevska
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
In the context of rapidly increasing digital performance monitoring in the workplace, concerns over employee privacy and ethical considerations arise. This tension between organizational control and employee privacy becomes especially complex in postcommunist societies like Poland, Croatia, and the Republic of North Macedonia, which have a history of state surveillance and control. Drawing on various academic sources and employing a doctrinal-legal method, this study examines how cultural, historical, and legal factors shape perceptions and protections of privacy. It also analyzes the legal frameworks of privacy rights in the workplace. The research reveals that post-communist legacies influence public attitudes towards digital privacy, which is reflected in a low interest in digital privacy in these countries and legislation that lags behind rapid technological advancements. Despite their EU-aligned legislation that provides guidelines for ethical data collection and surveillance, an ambivalent perception of privacy exists among citizens, influenced by their history of state surveillance and control. All three countries have specific legislations that encompass civil, criminal, administrative, and labor law to protect privacy in the workplace. The study concludes with policy recommendations, emphasizing the need for ongoing legislative scrutiny to strike a balance between privacy protection and a stable and secure work environment.
Topic:
Ethics, Privacy, Surveillance, Monitoring, Digital Performance, GDPR, and Post-Communism
Political Geography:
Europe, Poland, Croatia, and North Macedonia

17. A Glimpse of Environmental Procedural Democracy in Poland: Thwarting the Civil Society’s Pursuit of Legal Action Against Environmental Plans

Author:
Karolina Karpus
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
Public participation in environmental matters through access to justice is an indispensable aspect of environmental democracy. It has become increasingly evident that this type of democratic social control over the activities of public authorities should also encompass legislative acts. This poses a significant challenge for the contemporary political-legal system, as is demonstrably evident in the case of Polish environmental plans. Civic control of the legality of such general acts, enacted by public administration bodies in legislative or special procedures, is implemented in two steps. Firstly, it takes the form of participation through comments or questions on the draft of a plan submitted by civic society during the preparatory stage of the law-making process. Secondly, the control focuses on the plans after they are enacted. At this point, it takes the form of legal actions brought by members of the public before national courts in order to investigate the material and procedural legality of environmental plans. However, at present the access to justice in this respect is limited. The aim of the article is to analyse the legal reasons for this deficiency of Polish environmental procedural democracy and to assess it in the light of Poland’s international obligations.
Topic:
Civil Society, Environment, Democracy, Legislation, Justice, and Political Participation
Political Geography:
Europe and Poland

18. Media and Democracy in Crisis. A Comparative Analysis of Images of the Riots in the USA in the Public Media of Germany, Poland, and Russia

Author:
Dagmara Głuszek-Szafraniec and Patrycja Szostok-Nowacka
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
This article presents a diverse European perspective on democracy and freedom of expression. The research was conducted on 73 public television materials after the storming of the Capitol in Germany, Poland, and Russia. The content analysis employed 75 categories in the categorization key. The German perspective focused on stabilizing the democratic system after Biden’s win and on respect for democratic values in the USA. The narrative style is centered around change, a natural process in a democracy. Polish public television dominated an atmosphere of anxiety, but the criticism of the democratic opposition in Poland found an analogy between the actions of media corporations and opposition politicians. The materials in the Russian service were biased and directed against American democracy in general. Criticism was levelled at the hypocrisy of the authorities, the inefficiency of democratic procedures, and the lack of respect for political traditions. The portrayal of crisis events in the USA depended on the level of democracy in the country and, to varying degrees, also served as a pretext for criticizing democracy in general and referencing events in the country being analyzed.
Topic:
Democracy, Media, Narrative, January 6, and Public Media
Political Geography:
Russia, Poland, Germany, and United States of America

19. Reflection on Two Levels: Stalemate at COP28, Stakes at COP29

Author:
Majid Asadnabizadeh
Publication Date:
06-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
This article analyzes the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Dubai in 2023 and COP29 in 2024. Some outcomes of COP28 were optimistic, while others require reassessment at COP29. The author identifies four essential issues for COP28 using literary language analysis. Two favorable terms, “financial support” and “food system”, were found, along with two challenging terms, “Loss and Damage” and “Global Stocktake” (GST). The second level of analysis focuses on the situation leading up to COP29. GST is highlighted as a crucial issue, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine, which has raised doubts about the transition away from fossil fuels. The author suggests that during COP29, energy independence pioneers, such as the EU, and proponents of energy dependence, like India and China, may face conflicts, complicating cooperation between industrialized and developing countries. Additionally, the US situation poses challenges for international cooperation, with uncertainty surrounding the 2024 elections and the potential return of Donald Trump. The Republicans, under Trump, are less likely to support energy independence, particularly given the roles of China and India and their continued reliance on fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, after 2022.
Topic:
Climate Change, Energy, Conference of the Parties (COP), COP28, and COP29
Political Geography:
Global Focus

20. Deception as Process and Content: Mapping Research on Deception Published in SJR’s Top-Ranked Communication Studies Journals

Author:
Barbara Cyrek, Malwina Popiołek, Jenna Peltonen, Leslie Corbo, and Maxim Gorbachevsky
Publication Date:
09-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Polish Political Science Yearbook
Institution:
Polish Political Science Association (PPSA)
Abstract:
This paper reviews the recent literature in the field of communication sciences in terms of analyzing the research on deception, misinformation, and information misuse. A scoping review of the literature presented here focuses on deception studies published in top SJR journals in the years 2020–2022. Two research approaches can be distinguished in this field: analyzing the process or analyzing the content. For the most part, researchers analyze deception from the perspective of the communication process, there are far fewer studies on the content of deceptive messages. Original papers comprise the majority of studies on deception in the communications field, and, among them, dominate the research on social media. In recent years, research on instant messaging services such as WhatsApp has been increasingly popular, but there has been a lack of studies on Telegram, which is growing in importance for communication processes. This work contributes to the literature on deception by introducing a novel literature sampling method and investigating two dimensions of deception analysis, of which one is far more represented in communication studies.
Topic:
Communications, Disinformation, Misinformation, Fake News, and Deception
Political Geography:
Global Focus