“First of all, Poland is playing to survive and not be subjected to foreign powers,” says Bartosiak. He further explains that Poland must stop being a sub-supplier for countries like Germany and protect her culture from Russian influence.
Poland has not always found itself between the powers of Germany and Russia: “We are not fated to be between Germany and Russia. Even from a historical point of view, their threat is a fairly new phenomenon. Previously, our opponents had been Sweden and Turkey.” Bartosiak argued that Poland had become trapped between Moscow and Berlin in the 18th or even 19th century.
Poland had been an empire in its history, reaching into the East and over the Dnieper. On the other hand, Poland had suffered by being colonized by its neighbors, unlike other empires
Bartosiak underlined, however, that Poland suffers from a geopolitical bipolar disorder. Poland had been an empire in its history, reaching into the East and over the Dnieper. “This is visible in our culture, our literature and even the Polish military,” explains Bartosiak. On the other hand, Poland had suffered by being colonized by its neighbors, unlike other empires. “I’m not sure whether there has been another empire in history with such contradictory experiences.”
The expert called Polish history so far “a kind of prologue”, which had proven certain regularities from which Poland should learn. This will help the country enter the new game being established.
For Poland to enter the big international game, Bartosiak argues, she needs her own brands, own traders and own tradespeople. “Poland has amazing potential: good land, resources, access to the sea, trade routes, wide rivers, nature and a great location: one need only use this.”
