Editing Polish People's Party (section)

==Ideology==
{{Agrarianism sidebar}}
{{Christian democracy sidebar}}

The Polish People's Party adhered to the principles of [[agrarian socialism]] and [[anti-neoliberalism]] in the 1990s and early 2000s, and had a post-communist character, highlighting the positive sides of the former communist system and rejecting the Polish transformation to capitalism because of its high social cost and inequality.<ref name="gerb_quote"/><ref name="assess"/><ref name="stodquote"/> It was positioned on the [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]] on the political spectrum during that period. As late as 2011, the party was still described as "a left-wing party, representing an agrarian socialist agenda, although it is also known for its social conservatism".<ref name="gerber">{{cite thesis |title=Being Polish/Becoming European: Gender and The Limits of Diffusion in Polish Accession to the European Union |last=Gerber |first=Alexandra |url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/86261/alexaz_1.pdf?sequence=1 |degree=Doctor of Philosophy (Sociology) |publisher=University of Michigan |year=2011 |page=167 |location=Ann Arbor, Michigan}}</ref> Up to 2008, the party also opposed liberalism, denouncing it as "primitive [[social Darwinism]]" and warning against a liberal state where "people are subordinated to the market". After 2008, the Polish People's Party started drifting towards centrism, abandoning its criticism of economic liberalism as well as discarding its agrarian socialist vision for the Polish economy.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Ideologia Polskiego Stronnictwa Ludowego na początku XXI wieku |language=pl |first=Przemysław |last=Szustakiewicz |journal=Studia Politologiczne |volume=18 |issue=1 |page=233 |year=2010 |publisher=Instytut Nauk Politycznych Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego |url=http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-bee53e15-34e1-4a69-8da4-4be1f7c9752e}}</ref> It embraced an ideology of "neoagrarianism" that postulated a third way economic system based on Catholic social teaching, which rejected the downsides of both capitalism and communism.<ref name="szusta"/> The party then switched to Christian democracy and supported a regulated free market - the [[social market economy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mapa partii politycznych|trans-title=Map of political parties|url=https://janadamski.eu/2014/08/mapa-partii/|access-date=2019-05-28|website=jadamski.eu|language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Koalicja SLD-PSL|url=https://www.rmf24.pl/fakty/polska/news-psl-sld-czyli-historia-upadku-czerwono-zielonej-koalicji,nId,184650|access-date=2019-05-28|website=rmf.pl|language=PL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2 September 2016|title=PSl - liderzy, sondaże|url=https://wiadomosci.wp.pl/psl-polskie-stronnictwo-ludowe-6032708102169729c|access-date=2019-05-28|website=wiadomosci.wp.pl|language=pl}}</ref> PSL has drifted once more in the late 2010s and early 2020s towards the political right, adopting a neoliberal economic program based on deregulation and privatization. The party retained its Christian democratic character on social issues, where it continues to adhere to social conservatism.<ref name="leftr"/>
===Ideology from 1990s to 2000s===
The party, as it was reformed in 1990, was a direct and formal successor of the socialist [[United People's Party (Poland)|United People's Party]], and it inherited the party's members, political foundations as well as funds.<ref>{{cite book |title=Partie i ugrupowania parlamentarne III Rzeczypospolitej |isbn=978-83-89706-84-3 |author1=Krzysztof Kowalczyk |author2=Jerzy Sielski |year=2006 |publisher=Dom Wydawniczy DUET |page=154|language=pl}}</ref> The PSL was one of the two major Polish parties between from the 1990s to late 2000s with communist origins along with the [[Democratic Left Alliance (Poland)|Democratic Left Alliance]] - these two parties, along with [[Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland]], formed the post-communist bloc. Thus the party had a left-wing economic program that promoted agrarian socialism and praised the fallen communist regime, appealing to the communist nostalgia of voters. The party made references to the peasant movement of the Second Polish Republic and the WW2-era PSL led by [[Stanisław Mikołajczyk]], but these remained at a figurative level and did not affect the party's socialist alignment. This led to a split in the party - after the anti-communist [[Roman Bartoszcze]] was ousted as the party leader and PSL made its communist legacy more explicit, disaffected agrarians who returned to Poland from exile left the party and formed [[Peasants' Agreement]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Ruch Konserwatywno–Ludowy w III RP |language=pl |last=Stodolny |first=Marek |date=24 June 2015 |publisher=Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu |location=Poznań |url=https://repozytorium.amu.edu.pl/items/64df5d7b-5655-40c1-8862-0591bd2bb021 |pages=5–6}}</ref> 

In that period, the PSL condemned globalization and capitalist reforms as the driving factors behind the loss of national sovereignty and the growing inequality in the countryside. The party spoke against privatization and instead envisioned a decentralized socialist structure based on state-owned, communal as well as "social" (cooperative) ownership of the Polish economy. The party listed rural poverty, unemployment, lack of affordable housing and limited healthcare access as consequences of the economic liberalization pursued in the 1990s. The party also argued that the 'national interests' necessitates state ownership of most industries, especially that of the banks; the party also proposed a catalogue of protectionist measures that would stop the decline of the Polish agriculture and food industry.<ref>{{cite book |title=Partie i ugrupowania parlamentarne III Rzeczypospolitej |isbn=978-83-89706-84-3 |author1=Krzysztof Kowalczyk |author2=Jerzy Sielski |year=2006 |publisher=Dom Wydawniczy DUET |pages=144–149 |language=pl}}</ref>

The PSL pointed to liberalism and authoritarian tendencies as its main ideological opponents. The party program from that time argued that "in the name of blind liberalism - the doctrine of the elimination of the state from any influence on the shaping of economic structures, it passively watches as more and more segments of our market are taken over by foreign entities and as domestic companies are eliminated from it, for which, in addition, worse economic conditions are created for economic activity". Liberalism was described an ideology in which the state passively observes the struggle on the market between foreign, powerful concerns and Polish enterprises, which, being weaker and deprived of state support, fail. The party argued that the consequence of this was a high rate of unemployment, giving rise to social problems. The party also noted the existence of social disparities and the lack of prospects for the young generation, which is forced to emigrate in search of work, which caused a weakening of Poland's international role, subject to the uncontrolled game played by global corporations.<ref name="szusta"/>
===Drift to the right===
The origin of the party's pivot was in the late 2000s, as the party's anti-liberal slogan was overshadowed by the one of right-wing populist [[Law and Justice]], while agrarian socialism became the staple of the far-left [[Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland]], which would form an anti-liberal government together with Law and Justice and [[League of Polish Families]] in 2005. PSL started cooperating with the [[Civic Platform]] at this time - a party based on liberal and conservative ideas; this forced PSL to tone down its rhetoric as to avoid attacking the anticipated future coalition partner.<ref name="szusta">{{cite journal |title=Ideologia Polskiego Stronnictwa Ludowego na początku XXI wieku |language=pl |first=Przemysław |last=Szustakiewicz |journal=Studia Politologiczne |volume=18 |issue=1 |page=232 |year=2010 |publisher=Instytut Nauk Politycznych Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego |url=http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-bee53e15-34e1-4a69-8da4-4be1f7c9752e}}</ref> Political analysis of the party's rhetoric in 2006 found that the party would increasingly embrace liberalism in place of its hitherto economically left-wing program, which placed the party closer to the Civic Platform and other centre-right parties. This was in stark contrast to a fellow agrarian party Self-Defence of the Republic of Poland, which espoused conservatively socialist views.<ref>{{cite book |title=Mechanizmy manifestowania orientacji ideologicznej w dyskursie politycznym |first=Anita |last=Filipczak-Białkowska |location=Łódź |year=2018 |isbn=978-83-65237-58-3 |language=pl |doi=10.18778/8142-136-2.01 |publisher=Primum Verbum |pages=168–196}}</ref>

From the late 2000s onwards, the party pivoted away from its once agrarian socialist program in favor of "neoagrarianism", which it defined as the "principle of class solidarity and peasant separatism postulating the necessity of an evolutionary path of social reconstruction on the principles of economic democracy, with particular attention to the interests of agriculture and under the political leadership of the peasant layer." Neoagrarianism of the party also included the concept of a "third way" of social development aiming at the creation of a state system between capitalism and communism. This new form of economic system was to be based on the [[Catholic social teaching]] and eliminte both "the shortcomings of capitalism and the dangers posed by communism". The neoagrarian economy was also to be based on the principle of [[Subsidiarity (Catholicism)|Catholic subsidiarity]], " the primacy of labour over capital", as well as rejection of monetarism and neoliberalism. The party then gradually abandoned its criticism of liberalism, eventually embracing as a result.<ref name="szusta"/>
===Modern program===
The party's platform is strongly based on [[agrarianism]].<ref name="tomczak">{{cite book|title=Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe – trwały element polskiego parlamentu?|pages=129–155|first=Tomasz|last=Tomczak|publisher=DUET|year=2006}}</ref> On social and ethical issues, PSL is attached to more [[social conservatism|social conservative]] values,<ref name="gerber"/> as it opposes [[abortion]] (although it is against its criminalization, defending [[Abortion in Poland|the current abortion law in Poland]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rmf24.pl/tylko-w-rmf24/poranna-rozmowa/news-kosiniak-kamysz-bez-glosow-na-trzecia-droge-nie-ma-szans-by-,nId,6853041#crp_state=1 |title=Kosiniak-Kamysz: Bez głosów na Trzecią Drogę nie ma szans, by odsunąć PiS od władzy|website=rmf24.pl|language=pl}}</ref>), legalisation of [[same-sex marriage]], [[euthanasia]], [[death penalty]],<ref name="kasper">{{Cite web|url=https://www.niedziela.pl/artykul/18589/Komitety-a-kwestie-swiatopogladowe|title=WYBORY 2015 - Komitety a kwestie światopoglądowe|website=niedziela.pl|language=pl|access-date=2015-10-19}}</ref> and soft drug decriminalisation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazetaprawna.pl/wiadomosci/artykuly/551819,po-pis-psl-przeciwko-legalizacji-marihuany.html|title=PO, PiS, PSL przeciwko legalizacji marihuany
|website=gazetaprawna.pl|language=pl|access-date=2011-09-21}}</ref> The party is in favour of maintaining [[Religious education|religion lessons]] in public education.<ref name="kasper"/> In 2019, the party adopted (as part of an agreement with [[Kukiz'15]]) in the party's platform [[direct democracy]]'s postulates, including introducing [[single-member district]]s, [[electronic voting]] and obligatory [[referendum]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.psl.pl/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PROGRAM_PSL_2019.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.psl.pl/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PROGRAM_PSL_2019.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Program polityczny PSL - 2019|website=psl.pl|language=pl}}</ref>

Despite its formerly socialist alignment, the party embraced economic liberalism ever since it entered a coalition with the Civic Platform. The PSL supported economic policies such as increasing the retirement age, privatization of state-owned enterprises, as well as implementing deregulation in order to secure funds from the European Union.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wnp.pl/parlamentarny/wydarzenia/pis-koalicja-polska-psl-jest-jest-kompletnie-niewiarygodna,39711.html |title=PiS: Koalicja Polska PSL jest jest kompletnie niewiarygodna |date=2 June 2019 |language=pl |website=wnp.pl}}</ref> Nowadays, the party is considered economically liberal and oriented towards the free market, aligning with the parties such as Civic Platform, [[Poland 2050]] and [[Modern (political party)|Modern]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rp.pl/polityka/art38765871-sondaz-na-ktora-partie-powinni-glosowac-wolnorynkowi-wyborcy-ko-przed-pis |title=Sondaż: Na którą partię powinni głosować wolnorynkowi wyborcy? KO przed PiS |date=23 July 2023 |website=rp.pl |language=pl}}</ref> As part of the Third Way, PSL adopted a neoliberal-conservative program, promoting low taxes, market solutions to the housing crisis and climate change, as well as increased role of the private sector in Polish economy and publis services.<ref name="leftr">{{cite web |url=https://newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/the-polish-continuum |title=The Polish Continuum |first=Gavin |last=Rae |date=20 October 2023 |website=New Left Review}}</ref>

Moreover, during the leadership of [[Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz|Kosiniak-Kamysz]], who took over after 2015 elections, PSL has visibly started leaning towards [[economic liberalism]] in order to gain voters in bigger cities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/kraj/2146104,1,psl-i-agrounia-kto-moze-wygrac-z-pis-na-wsi.read|title=PSL i AgroUnia. Kto może wygrać z PiS na wsi?
|website=polityka.pl|date=4 December 2021
|language=pl|access-date=2021-12-04}}</ref> Kosiniak-Kamysz himself has described party's ideology as "[[Centrism|moderately centrist]]"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazetaprawna.pl/wiadomosci/artykuly/1443113,kosiniak-kamysz-umiarkowane-centrum-lewicowa-platforma.html|title=Kosiniak-Kamysz: "Umiarkowane centrum" to my. Platforma wybrała skręt w lewo
|website=gazetaprawna.pl|date=5 December 2019
|language=pl|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazetaprawna.pl/wiadomosci/kraj/artykuly/8144050,chadecja-polska-kosiniak-kamysz-umiarkowane-centrum.html|title=Kosiniak-Kamysz: Chadecja Polska to długofalowy projekt
|website=gazetaprawna.pl|date=16 April 2021
|language=pl|access-date=2021-04-16}}</ref> and [[Christian democracy|Christian democratic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Piechocinski/status/958279404148412416|title=Janusz Piechociński on Twitter: "Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz : Jesteśmy partią o charakterze centrowym, partią chadecką..."
|website=twitter.com|language=pl|access-date=2016-01-30}}</ref> After most of the party's MPs voted against a law softening abortion law in Poland in 2024,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.termedia.pl/mz/Glosowanie-w-sprawie-depenalizacji-aborcji-wyniki-,57104.html|title=Głosowanie w sprawie depenalizacji aborcji – wyniki|website=termedia.pl|language=pl|access-date=2024-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polish-parliament-rejects-bill-seeking-ease-strict-abortion-law-2024-07-12/|title=Polish parliament rejects bill seeking to ease strict abortion law|website=reuters.com|language=en|access-date=2024-07-12}}</ref> PSL began to visibly present itself as the conservative wing of [[Third Cabinet of Donald Tusk|a ruling coalition under the premiership of Donald Tusk]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rp.pl/opinie-polityczno-spoleczne/art40842321-michal-szuldrzynski-kosiniak-kamysz-nie-chce-byc-wasalem-tuska-wiec-walczy-o-tozsamosc-koalicji|title=Michał Szułdrzyński: Kosiniak-Kamysz nie chce być wasalem Tuska, więc walczy o tożsamość koalicji|website=rp.pl|language=pl|access-date=2024-07-21}}</ref> which caused criticism from [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]] politicians and activists, such as [[Marta Lempart]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wprost.pl/opinie-i-komentarze/11763219/marta-lempart-zaatakowala-kosiniaka-kamysza-wpadla-na-zaskakujacy-pomysl.html|title=Lempart nie odpuszcza Hołowni i Kosiniakowi-Kamyszowi. "Katolicy, rozwodnicy, hipokryci"|website=wprost.pl|language=pl|access-date=2024-07-25}}</ref> Polish political scientist [[:pl:Rafał Chwedoruk|Rafał Chwedoruk]] noted that by 2024, the party has become the most right-wing in its party history, even more than it was when it entered a government with right-wing nationalists in the 1920s.<ref name="chwedoruk"/> Similarly, [[:pl:Zuzanna Dąbrowska|Zuzanna Dąbrowska]] argues that the PSL has become increasingly supportive of cooperation with other right-wing parties.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rp.pl/opinie-polityczno-spoleczne/art40820191-zuzanna-dabrowska-psl-u-mile-miejsce-po-prawej-od-wejscia-do-sejmu |title=Zuzanna Dąbrowska: PSL-u miłe miejsce, po prawej od wejścia do Sejmu |date=17 July 2024 |language=pl |author-link=:pl:Zuzanna Dąbrowska |first=Zuzanna |last=Dąbrowska |website=[[Rzeczpospolita (newspaper)|Rzeczpospolita]]}}</ref>

Under the leadership of Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Polish People's Party abandoned its historical tradition of agrarianism; Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that the Polish People's Party should be 'universal' rather than agrarian, and oversaw shifts in the party's program towards economic liberalism and positions that are attractive to urban voters. The party's historically left-wing stances were appropriated by a minor party [[AGROunia]] instead.<ref name="polityka_s"/> After the creation of the Third Way together with Poland 2050, political scientists noted that the Polish People's Party no longer refers to agrarianism in its program, its economic postulates are pro-business and oriented towards small and middle-sized companies, and the party has abandoned the agrarian tradition in favor of a non-ideological, big tent appeal.<ref name="zloty"/>