Bezpieczeństwo Polski po zakończeniu ZImnej Wojny
POLAND'S SECURITY AFTER COLD WAR

AN ATTEMPT AT SYNTHESIS

Summary/Abstract: The first three decades after the fall of communism proved to be a good time forPoland’s security, which greatly benefi ted from the relaxation of international politics,and rebuilt its sovereign foreign and security policy. The country effi ciently reorganizedits relations with its neighbouring states, consolidated its own borders and rejectedold military and economic alliances. The net cost of this process was the lastingand progressive deterioration of relations with the heir of the Soviet Union and the largestneighbour – the Russian Federation. Rationalization and reduction of the armed forceswas possible due to progressive demilitarization of security in Europe, and it helpedrelease funds for other state needs. The processes were made possible thanks to a broaddomestic political consensus. The Polish transformation, although socially costly, hasmade it a democratic, free-market, and pluralistic state, strongly anchored in NATOand the EU as well as in regional cooperation, and selectively engaged in the globalagenda. Overtime, Poland has become a respected member of the Western communityof states, occasionally punching above its weight in transatlantic relations.

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