Review
[1]
Presented paper on the condition of political science in Poland is composed out of 6 paragraphs:
1. Analysis of pre-1989 situation
2. Redefinition of the discipline since 1990 - ten years of democratic experience
3-4. Core theoretical and methodological orientations. Thematic orientations and funding
5. Public space
6. Further development
[2] The analysis of the history and the actual situation in political science in Poland is of a high quality. Authors know very well the past and present of the matter under discussion. So, I have only small remarks that can enrich the text.
[3] 1. I’m not sure if for the western lecturer the reason for witch in the 60s communist government decided to establish faculties of Political Science at all Polish universities is clear. May be it should be explained better.
[4] 2. Taking about the communist period, in this context we should mention not only KIK (Club of Catholic Intelligentsia), and “Krytyka”, but also the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL). In that time it was the only independent institution of high education. Many persons who played an important role in the polish political life under communism had received their intellectual formation in this milieu. Some of them are still active in politics. This education was given to students and seminarians on the courses of catholic social teaching at KUL and on Pontifical Theological Faculties as well. Political philosophy and ethics are part of this discipline. One of the most influential scientists in catholic social teaching was Czesław Strzeszewski.
[5] 3. Among new institutions that appeared after the collapse of the communism there is also, organized in 1999 (former Catholic Academy of Theology - 1954), Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University. At the University, since 1993, there exists an Institute of Political Science (on the Faculty of History and Social Sciences). It encloses 11 chairs with 9 professors and 7 teachers with Ph.D. They are making research in methodology, political theory, history of political ideas and doctrines, political systems, international relations, European integration (specially: cultural foundations of European unity), social and political ethics, ethics in economy, political economy, banking law, policy of finances, social policy, demography, geopolitics, social market economy and contemporary catholic social thought. There are about 450 students in the Institute. After 5-years studies an AM diploma in political science is offered to them.
[6] 4. There are also some ecclesiastical institutions like OCIPE and ESPACE that are working on the field of reflection on the European integration. These are polish branches of analogous international organizations. At the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University we can find the Studium Generale Europa. In Krakow there is also Tertio Millennio Institute organizing international conferences and making research on the theory of democracy.
Warsaw, 2002
