Social Democracy with(out) people

Policy Study

Is it possible for the Polish left to rebuild its political position after nearly two decades of marginalisation? In “Social Democracy with(out) people: possible strategies for survival and expansion of the Polish left,” the authors, Dr. Maria Skóra and Dr. Gavin Rae, conclude a three-year-long project that challenges this question by evaluating the reasons for the left’s declining fortunes and outlining a strategic plan of action.

Against the backdrop of the long-term hegemony of right-wing parties such as Civic Platform (PO) and Law and Justice (PiS), this policy study examines how Poland’s left-wing movements can become a politically robust entity once again, reconnect with voters, and build a wide social coalition capable of toppling the status quo.

Drawn from extensive original research—two special surveys conducted on IBRIS’s behalf in 2023 and 2024—an intimate policy monitoring, this policy study locates popular support for an interventionist welfare state, separation of church and state, and guarding workers’ rights. It presents diagnosis and advice, highlighting the means by which the Polish left may be reconstructed through leadership renewal, nuanced communication, and a more robust political message.

Published as a joint effort of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and the FES Warsaw Office, “Social Democracy with(out) people: possible strategies for survival and expansion of the polish left” is a “must-read”, for political strategists, policymakers, activists, and anyone interested in the future of progressive politics in Poland and across the continent.