The foreign policy of Poland 2102-M-D2PZRP

1-2. Introduction to the state's foreign policy. Theoretical assumptions. Typology of the determinants of a state's foreign policy. Domestic and international conditions. Objective and subjective conditions. The dynamics of the determinants of Polish foreign policy in the years 1918-2020.
3-4. Experiences from Poland's international activity in the years 1945-1989. Reorientation of Poland's foreign policy after World War II. The Yalta and Potsdam decisions concerning Poland. Poland's relations with socialist states. Poland's relations with Western countries. Poland's relations with developing (Third World) countries. Poland's activities in support of international détente, disarmament, and peace, and participation in the CSCE process.
5. Reorientation of Polish foreign policy after the Round Table Talks (Changing domestic and international conditions. New foreign policy concept. Poland's accession to the Council of Europe. Relations with the Holy See. Cooperation within the Weimar Triangle).
6. Transformation in Polish-German relations (Poland's attitude towards German reunification. Final settlement of the Oder-Neisse border issue. Treaty of Good Neighborhood and Friendly Cooperation. German support for the Euro-Atlantic orientation of Polish foreign policy. Problems disrupting Polish-German cooperation).
7. Relations between Poland and the USA. The process of Poland's integration with NATO (diplomatic efforts, participation in the "Partnership for Peace," membership negotiations, efforts to ratify the accession protocol). Poland's position and role within NATO.
8-9. Poland's integration process with the European Union. The Association Agreement with the European Communities and accession criteria. Accession negotiations. Poland's role and position in the European Union: position on EU reform; cooperation with the WEU; Poland's position on participation in the CFSP; position on the EU's defense policy (ESDP/CSDP). Poland's approach to attempts to strengthen the European Union. Poland's EU Presidency (2011) and further activity in the EU. Poland's approach to the EU crisis.
10. The initial stage of Eastern policy; the "two-track" policy towards its eastern neighbors during the collapse of the USSR. Poland's relations with Russia. The twists and turns of bilateral relations. The twists and turns of the normalization process and the chances for Polish-Russian reconciliation. The crisis in bilateral relations in 2015-2020. Post 2022 relations with Russia.
11. Poland-Ukraine Relations. Poland's attitude towards Ukrainian independence and the establishment of Polish-Ukrainian cooperation. The Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendly Relations, and Cooperation. The concept of strategic partnership and its implementation. Reevaluation of Polish-Ukrainian relations.
12. Poland-Belarus Relations. Building a contractual foundation for neighborly cooperation (1990–1994). Difficulties in mutual relations (1994–2008). Return to bilateral cooperation (since 2008) and new difficulties in bilateral relations.
13. Poland's role in the OSCE and UN. Poland's initiatives to strengthen cooperative and collective security in the regional and global dimensions, Poland's participation in peacekeeping operations, Poland's position on UN reform. The decline in the importance of the OSCE and UN in Polish policy following NATO accession.
14. Subregional Cooperation - Visegrad Group, Three Seas Initiative, Baltic States
15. Conceptualization of Poland's international role as a "middle-ranking" state: expected, declared, and played roles.

Term 2024L:

None

Term 2025L:

None

Term 2026L:

None

Course coordinators

Spasimir Domaradzki

Type of course

obligatory courses

Prerequisites (description)

The main objective of this course is to introduce students to the Polish foreign policy by highlighting its evolution, the impact of internal and external conditions, the dynamics of change in the country's international position, and Poland's role and place in contemporary international relations. The course consists of theoretical, historical, and problem-based sections, focusing on the main directions of Poland's foreign policy. Particular emphasis will be placed on NATO and EU membership, relations with the US, Eastern policy, and involvement in regional cooperation. NO AI (Learning outcomes are assessed entirely without the aid of artificial intelligence. Students rely solely on their knowledge, understanding, and skills. AI may not be used at any point in the assessment process.)

Learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE
Understands the historical, economic, social, cultural, and legal conditions of Poland's foreign policy. Demonstrates knowledge of the continuity and changes in the internal and international conditions of this policy throughout the 20th century, particularly between 1945 and 2020. Recognizes the continuity of Poland's national interests, as well as the changing goals, means, and methods of foreign policy used to achieve them. K_W04.
Understands the political, economic, and cultural structures crucial to understanding Poland's foreign policy and understands the changes occurring within them. Demonstrates detailed knowledge and explanations of the reorientation of Polish foreign policy following the 1989 Round Table Talks, the changes and challenges in Polish-German relations, the processes of Poland's integration with NATO and the European Union, Poland's relations with the USA, Poland's Eastern policy, including the complex Polish-Russian, Polish-Ukrainian, and Polish-Belarusian relations, and Poland's role in the CSCE/OSCE and the UN. K_W05
SKILLS
Can critically interpret social and political phenomena related to the foreign policy of the Third Polish Republic and analyze their mutual relationships and interdependencies based on theoretical knowledge. Easily seeks out information on the foreign policy of Poland and its key partners. Able to assess the significance of current events from the perspective of theoretical knowledge of Polish foreign policy. K_U01. Can independently analyze and explain the role of social, economic, and cultural structures in shaping Polish foreign policy. Can explain continuity and change in Polish foreign policy, as well as the importance of NATO for Poland's security and Poland's influence on its functioning and evolution. Can distinguish between the political and institutional determinants of Polish foreign policy. K_U02.

Assessment criteria

Students will receive credit based on the results of the written exam.

Student Assessment Methods
Number of points/participation in the final assessment
Continuous assessment (ongoing preparation for classes and participation) / 10
Written exam / 80
Attendance check / 10

Grading
Final grading algorithm
2

3***
Above 50%, but not more than 60%
3.5
Above 60%, but not more than 70%
4
Above 70%, but not more than 80%
4.5
Above 80%, but not more than 90%
5
Above 90%

Bibliography

Czaputowicz, J., Polityka zagraniczna Polski w latach 2018-2020, Przemówienia, wywiady i artykuły, Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych, 2023
Kukułka J., Traktaty sąsiedzkie Polski Odrodzonej, Wrocław 1998.
Kuźniar R., Polityka zagraniczna III Rzeczypospolitej, Warszawa 2012.
Kuźniar R., Polityka zagraniczna RP 1989–2024, Wydawnictwo Naukowe, 2025
Łastawski K., Polska racja stanu po wstąpieniu do Unii Europejskiej, Warszawa 2009.
red. S.Domaradzki, V. Zheltovskyy, Racja stanu Polski w Unii Europejskiej, Warszawa, 2020
Łomiński J., M. Stolarczyk (red.), Polska i jej sąsiedzi w latach dziewięćdziesiątych. Polityczne i ekonomiczne aspekty współpracy i integracji, Katowice 1998.
Parzymies S., I. Rysińska (red.), Udział Polski w organizacjach międzynarodowych, Warszawa 2012.
Roczniki polskiej polityki zagranicznej 1991-2012
Roczniki Strategiczne, 1995-2020.
Stolarczyk M., "Kontrowersje wokół militarnego zaangażowania Polski w Iraku", Przegląd Zachodni, 2005, nr 1.
Stolarczyk M., Zbieżności i różnice interesów w stosunkach polsko-niemieckich w latach 1989-2009, Katowice 2010.
Stolarczyk M., Rosja w polityce zagranicznej Polski w latach 1992-2015, Katowice 2016.
Zając J. (red.), Polska w stosunkach międzynarodowych 1945-1989. Wybór dokumentów, Warszawa 2005.
Zając J., Poland’s Security Policy: The West, Russia, and the Changing International Order, Palgrave Macmillan, London 2016.
Zając J., R. Zięba, Polska w stosunkach międzynarodowych 1945-1989, Toruń 2005.
Zięba R., "European Security and Defence Identity. The Polish Viewpoint", The Polish Foreign Affairs Digest, 2001, No. 1.
Zięba R., "Transformation of Polish Foreign Policy", The Polish Foreign Affairs Digest, 2004, No. 4.
Zięba R., „Uwarunkowania polityki zagranicznej Polski na początku drugiej dekady XXI wieku”, Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations, tom 43, 2011, nr 1-2.
Zięba R., Polityka zagraniczna Polski w strefie euroatlantyckiej, Warszawa 2013.
Zięba R., Poland's Foreign and Security Policy: Problems of Compatibility with the Changing International Order, Springer, Cham (Switzerland) 2020.
Zięba R., “The 20th Anniversary of Poland’s Accession to NATO”, [w:] Daniel S. Hamilton, Kristina Spohr, (Eds.), Open Door: NATO and Euro-Atlantic Security After the Cold War, Washington DC: Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies Johns Hopkins University 2019, s. 197-214.
Zięba R., „Główne problemy w stosunkach polsko-rosyjskich”, Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations, 2018, t. 54, nr 3, s. 9-34.

Term 2024L:

None

Term 2025L:

None

Term 2026L:

None