The Religious Base of Politics in Post-Communist Poland: A Case of Bounded Secularisation

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This distinctive heritage of Polish Catholicism, interwoven over long periods, stems from the 1,034 years of the Church’s presence in Poland. Latin Christianity was introduced to Poland as Prince Mieszko I was baptised in 966. The notion that Polishness is necessarily associated with Catholic faith has steadily taken root ever since (Davies 1984: 268-78, 336-41; Osa 1989; Szajkowski 1997). More importantly, over the past two centuries, the Church has upheld and defended Polish national identity and values in the face of the partitions, the two World Wars and Communism. Even in the face of formidable obstacles, Catholic values and practices have been successfully passed from generation to generation as part of the national heritage.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationReligion and Mass Electoral Bahaviour in Europe
EditorsDavid Broughton, Hans-Martien ten Napel
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter11
Pages176-197
Number of pages22
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9780203991831
ISBN (Print)9780415201292
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Dec 2000

Publication series

NameRoutledge/ECPR Studies in European Political Science

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Sociology and Political Science

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