It almost sticks in the throat if I try to say it out loud but, as a progressive internationalist mugged by reality, I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the key ordering principle of the success of Poland, and the way forward for the whole of the West, is a healthy dose of inclusive, positive-sum, moderate, calm and confident nationalism. Modern, first world, constructive patriotism. Not so much blood and soil as free-thinking European civilisation and open society, but, importantly, strict on those who refuse to contribute to its maintenance. Some call it muscular liberalism.
I am at pains here to draw a sharp contrast between the Polish version of temperate (some call it conservative) nationalism, and Hungary’s pro-Russia and pro-China variant. I also hasten to confirm up high in the article that I am not a sycophant of Poland in any way, and I have not taken any payment or gift from Polish interests. On the contrary, the government officials and ex officials I approached for comment were slightly disturbed by my open admiration and suggestion that Poland should be a leader of Europe in a way that Great Britain and France once were. Indeed, they rushed to point out that Poland, despite doing everything right and getting the best results, is routinely excluded from strategic meetings deciding the future of the continent, usually held between the UK, Germany, France and Italy. They were, alas, too polite to speculate about the reasons for this exclusion.
It is too late for that. At the last census in 2021 the white British were just 36.8% of the population of London. There is no way back short of mass demigration, and no political party has the will to do it. The only sort of “nationalism” we are likely to end up with is islamic nationalism.
As a progressive internationalist Matei old cock the Polish government officials and ex officials you were talking to were…progressive internationalists just like you.
The current government of Poland is run by the EU keenies who are just as embarrassed by nationalism as you are. Polish economic success largely fired up during the previous fiercely nationalist EU sceptic government’s time. And they were pretty ur-conservative. Obviously not friendly with the Russkies cos they’re Poles.
In short Polish nationalism is pretty damn nationalist. And is a great embarrassment to the Tuskies.