Dreamers versus Realists, On the Responsibility and Irresponsibility in Polish Politics of the First Half of the 20th Century Cover Image

Marzyciele kontra realiści, rzecz o odpowiedzialności i nieodpowiedzialności w polskiej polityce pierwszej połowy XX wieku
Dreamers versus Realists, On the Responsibility and Irresponsibility in Polish Politics of the First Half of the 20th Century

Author(s): Łukasz Zweiffel
Subject(s): Politics, Political history, Social history
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
Keywords: responsibility; irresponsibility; politics; realists; idealists; reform

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the article is the antinomy of responsible politics and irresponsible politics. Taking into consideration the philosophical considerations determining the tasks of politics and the contexts of individual responsibility for its actions (also political), a classification can be made. The goal of politics, as per Hannah Arendt, is to protect social resources sustaining life, as well as the productivity resulting from an open and free development of the society.Responsible politics is, therefore, a rational politics, serving these goals, not taking actions of a different nature. The examples of responsible and irresponsible politics can be found in history. In Polish history, the example of a responsible politics can be found in the decisions of the leaders of the Third Silesian Uprising, whereas the opposite is found in the foreign politics on the eve of the II World War. Conducting the politics of strength, power politics, without the proper instruments must be related with an irresponsible threatening the national existence.

  • Issue Year: 254/2017
  • Issue No: 19
  • Page Range: 105-115
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: English, Polish