DESPITE THE DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING: UNDERSTANDING THE ELECTORAL SUCCESSES AND PUBLIC SUPPORT OF POLAND’S LAW AND JUSTICE 2015–2020
DESPITE THE DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING: UNDERSTANDING THE ELECTORAL SUCCESSES AND PUBLIC SUPPORT OF POLAND’S LAW AND JUSTICE 2015–2020

Summary/Abstract: Social scientifi c studies on Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) focus on democraticbacksliding, autocratization, illiberalism, and populism. Less attention is putto the reasons why the party maintained to keep high support and popularityin the society. Therefore it is essential to ask: what made PiS strong? How dothey managed to win elections despite heaviest criticism and accusations?This article aims at answering these questions and understanding whatforces made the party successful and winning consecutive elections withrecord support at record turnouts. The proposed explanation to this arefi ve main factors that made PiS popular: responding to expectations ofthe people and economic success that helped building credibility. Theyalso sent clear message and proactive narrative, mastered organization ofelectoral campaigns, what contrasted with divided opposition unable to uniteand propose an effective alternative. With this background the activitiesinterpreted as democratic backsliding were rather detrimental, than helpingto maintain power.

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