„Escape from freedom” – crisis of the trust to the liberal democracy. Temporary phenomenon or long-lasting-trend? Cover Image

„Ucieczka od wolności” – kryzys zaufania do demokracji liberalnej. Zjawisko przejściowe czy długotrwała tendencja?
„Escape from freedom” – crisis of the trust to the liberal democracy. Temporary phenomenon or long-lasting-trend?

Author(s): Tomasz Dobrowolski
Subject(s): Civil Society, Welfare systems, Politics and society, Politics and Identity
Published by: Oficyna Wydawnicza KA AFM
Keywords: crisis of trust to liberal democracy; populism; Western civilisation; golden age of capitalism; welfare state

Summary/Abstract: This article is an attempt to answer the question, why there has been a recent crisis of trust to the liberal democracy in European states belonging to the Western circle of civilisation and how it could be overcome. According to the opinion of the author, the main reason for that crisis is an instrumental approach of a large part of citizens of those countries towards this form of government. They accept and trust it only as long as it provides them with prosperity and a sense of security, which is currently – up to them – not working properly. That is why, in order to change that situation, fulfilling their needs and aspiration on acceptable level must be again possible within the framework of this form of government. In order to achieve this goal a number of conditions must be met, including, restoring trust of citizens in the government and faith in the electoral process, taking vigorous actions to counteract rising social inequalities, increasing measures to successfully combat and suppress international terrorism by various countries – although with respect to liberal and democratic values as well as human rights and freedoms – and a real integration of immigrants from other civilisation circles, first of all, Muslims. At the same time, politicians and the media are supposed to return to the discourse based on the values upon which political systems of European states belonging to the Western circle of civilisation were founded.

  • Issue Year: XIV/2017
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 151-168
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Polish