'Another solution is to have the courage to speak about the things that cause public discontent, fear and frustration. Populists are not afraid to speak about people’s emotions and often win because of it. Liberals should not try to manipulate emotions, but rather work with them. Fear can be translated into courage, loss into hope, and anxiety into creativity.
Unless the PiS’s opponents can provide their own winning vision along with a healthy dose of entertainment, they risk losing the chance to shape Poland’s future for at least the next decade. Globally, liberals risk the same fate.''..in Poland, ministers have just announced an autumn agenda which involves a simultaneous attack on the judiciary and the independent media..
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It should be stressed that this new form of political entertainment does not necessarily mean amusing the audience. The comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Ukraine showed that entertainers do sometimes win elections. But populistainment can also involve arousing fear, outrage and contempt.
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Issues-based campaigns, focused on positive ideas for the future are an option. Trzaskowski tried this in the Polish presidential race, with his “New Solidarity” slogan, an idea meant to be unifying and hopeful. After his defeat, Trzaskowski announced plans to build a social movement. Whether or not he succeeds depends on whether he will be able to provide a robust and inspiring alternative to the reactionary PiS vision for Poland.
Another solution is to have the courage to speak about the things that cause public discontent, fear and frustration. Populists are not afraid to speak about people’s emotions and often win because of it. Liberals should not try to manipulate emotions, but rather work with them. Fear can be translated into courage, loss into hope, and anxiety into creativity.
Unless the PiS’s opponents can provide their own winning vision along with a healthy dose of entertainment, they risk losing the chance to shape Poland’s future for at least the next decade. Globally, liberals risk the same fate.'
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In Poland we've become spectators at the dismantling of democracy, August 17, 2020
ContextConcerns over media freedoms intensify in Poland and Hungary, where private radio station lost its licence, February 10, 2021