Czasopismo naukowe „Res Politicae” istnieje od 2006 roku przy Katedrze Nauk o Bezpieczeństwie Uniwersytetu Jana Długosza w Częstochowie, jest rocznikiem, którego profil badawczy to nauki społeczne (w szczególności nauki o polityce i administracji, nauki o bezpieczeństwie) oraz humanistyczne (głównie historia). Radę naukową czasopisma tworzą przedstawiciele samodzielnych pracowników badawczo-dydaktycznych Katedry Nauk o Bezpieczeństwie (Uniwersytet Jana Długosza w Częstochowie) oraz grono pracowników naukowych z polskich (m.in. Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Uniwersytet im. Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu, Uniwersytet Wrocławski, Politechnika Rzeszowska, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie, Uniwersytet Jana Kochanowskiego w Kielcach) oraz zagranicznych ośrodków akademickich, naukowych (Institute and Museum of Military History - Budapeszt, Institute for Political Studies of Defense and Military History - Bukareszt, Institute of Military History - Bratysława). Listę recenzentów czasopisma „Res Politicae” tworzy kilkunastu przedstawicieli nauki ośrodków akademickich (spoza Uniwersytetu Jana Długosza w Częstochowie). Czasopismo uzyskało 20 punktów zgodnie z Komunikatem MEiN z dnia 1 grudnia 2021 r. w sprawie wykazu czasopism naukowych i recenzowanych materiałów z konferencji międzynarodowych
Uniwersytet Jana Długosza w Częstochowie
Sprawozdanie z VII Konferencji Naukowej z cyklu „Bezpieczeństwo Polski w XX i XXI wieku. 25 lat członkostwa Polski w NATO. 20 lat członkostwa w Unii Europejskiej”. Częstochowa 22–23 października 2024 r.
[rec.] Danuta Gibas-Krzak, Gra wielkich mocarstw o Bałkany w XXI wieku. Studium wpływów Chin, Rosji i USA, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Opolskiego, Opole 2024, ss. 215
Populism – a political phenomenon, social movement or the birth of a new political system?
This article outlines several fundamental elements which contribute to the emergence of the political phenomenon known as “populism”. In contemporary, democratic, political system conditions, factors conducive to the development of this phenomenon include those resulting from the progress of civilizational and the growing social issues that accompany it. In a very synthetic way, populism can be seen as the articulation, within a specific society of problems, that arise based on group and individual goals. The question remains open as to whether populism, as a new political phenomenon, is becoming a precursor to the next stage in the process of global social development.
State policy towards young people on the labour market
The aim of the study is to present solutions within the framework of the labour market policy addressed to young people and their implementation by public employment services in the con-text of the situation of these people on the labour market in the years 2015–2023. As it turns out, the situation of this social group, in relation to other age groups, despite the decreasing number of young people entering the labour market, is weaker. The basic barrier to entering and staying on this market is their lack of professional experience and practical skills, which employers expect from the very beginning. For this reason, in the Act on the promotion of employment and labour market institutions, they are still classified as people in a special situation on the labour market and thanks to this they can benefit from a larger number of active labour market programmes. State actions aimed at programmes supporting the entry and staying on the labour market of this social group are important here. Attention was also drawn to the activities of the Voluntary Labour Corps as an entity aimed at supporting young people both in the area of education and upbringing, as well as in entering the labour market. The article reviews active forms of support for young people and analyses the solutions used against the background of their situation on the labour market. The research methods used include: literature studies, analysis of normative documents, comparative method and analysis of labour market indicators.
We often face the questions: what is terrorism?, who should be considered a terrorist and who should be considered a militant? What forms does terrorism take?, does it evolve?, what threats does it cause?, can it be eliminated?, is it only a "private" domain, or is it also the domain of the state? What is its history?, how far back do its roots go, and will we ever get rid of it, and if so, how?
Threats arising from sharing information on social media
This article addresses the issue of threats arising from sharing content on social media. The role of information in the contemporary world, the dynamic history of social media development, and the problems of disinformation and fake news are the key topics that allow for an in-depth exploration of the subject. The legal and ethical context of data acquisition from social media also affects the user’s sense of security. The content of the article is based on materials from scientific literature, journals, online sources, and the author’s reflections. To understand the user’s per- spective, the article refers to the results of surveys conducted among social media users, which, among other things, allowed for verification of what information respondents post and find, as well as answering the question of whether they believe that sharing information on social media can have negative consequences.
President Ronald Reagan’s Involvement in the 1988 Presidential Campaign
President Ronald Reagan changed the face of the United States through a series of internal and external policy changes known as the, “Reagan Revolution”. When the next election took place in 1988, in which he could no longer participate, his action to elect his Vice President George H.W. Bush was very important. The purpose of this article is to show how Ronald Reagan tried to par- ticipate in the political campaign already as the outgoing president. Analyzed is his involvement and attitude towards the actions taken by the Democratic Party representatives and also his ac- tions in support of Vice President Bush and his bid for the presidency.
Bolshevik repression and demography – a look from the other side
We can only estimate the number of victims of the Bolshevik system and different authors provide different data. In this article, the author attempted to estimate the loss of demographic potential based on two censuses that took place in the USSR until 1939. It also shows how this potential has changed in relation to the individual nationalities of this country. Who was the victim and who was the executioner, or maybe everyone was executioner or victim? Did Bolshevism have an internationalist face or not?
On the 80th Anniversary of the Assassination Attempt on Adolf Hitler. Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg, Hero, Political Strategist, or Victim of the Nazi Regime
The attempt of assassination of the leader of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler (1889–1945), on 20th July 1944 at the Wolf’s Lair (Gierłoż) provokes many questions, the answers to which may not be found. Nevertheless, numerous historians in Poland and abroad appreciate as well as criticise this act. Being a German scholar whose main focus is on the period of the Third Reich and partially on the Holocaust, I will reconstruct the causes, motives and execution of the unsuccessful assassina- tion. However, one should not expect a definitive and unequivocal statements here, but only an analysis of the circumstances in which the act took place. Sceptical and critical of this action, I see its very purpose in von Staufenberg’s strategy, which had nothing to do with saving the real victims of the war. With Europe already in ruins and its Jewish community completely exterminated, the real purposes of the action in question could have been three goals: to end the war, to create a convenient position for negotiations with the Allies, and to prevent the Soviet invasion in East Germany. Regarding the consequences and perspectives in the past, the failed coup changed nothing and brought about nothing, and consequently led to the elimination of the last liberal forces in the ranks of Hitler’s opposition within the Third Reich. The trials of the Berlin judge Ro- land Freisler were a case in point.
Intelligence and Counterintelligence Actions of the Silesian Voivodeship Police at the Polish-German Border between 1922 and 1939
Formed in 1922, the Silesian Voivodeship Police became an important part of the state security system in the newly reconstituted country of Poland. The Silesian Police officers were included in counterintelligence operations aiming to protect Poland and the Silesian Voivodeship immediately upon creation of the Silesian police force. One important element of counterintelligence measures used to protect Upper Silesia from external risks was monitoring the Polish-German border. The Silesian police officers protected Polish interests in the region both by participating in actual coun- terintelligence operations and by amassing “shallow intelligence.” Information gathered by the intelligence and counterintelligence operations of the Silesian police during the interbellum pe- riod was useful to both civil state security institutions of the Second Polish Republic and its military intelligence and counterintelligence services
1954: a Swiss captain’s view of Poland and Polish officers in the context of his six-month mission within the “Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission” (NNSC) in Korea
Organization and participation in the humanitarian mission in Africa of the Polish Relief Helicopter Squadron in Ethiopia in 1985–1987
In 1985, the Polish political and military authorities organized a humanitarian mission to Ethiopia. The Polish Humanitarian Aviation Squadron in Ethiopia, which was formed on the basis of the 37th Air Transport Helicopter Regiment from Łęczyca, took part in the mission. The aviation squadron was a separate military contingent of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of the Poland, which included three Mi-8T helicopters and military engineering and aviation personnel. Ethiopia was in a difficult economic and political situation caused by ongoing war and internal conflicts as well as drought and famine. The air squadron carried out the mission of providing humanitarian aid to the population. The tasks included transporting and distributing food and medical supplies over long distances in mountainous regions and resettling the population to safe places. The turning point of the presented issues is marked by the years 1984-1987. The first date determines the beginning of the mission and is related to the first decisions of the state authorities of Poland regarding political cooperation with Ethiopia and organizing activities to provide humanitarian assistance to the population of this country. The date of 1987 ends the period of humanitarian and technical support provided by Polish soldier pilots in Ethiopia. The issues presented in the article focus on the following thesis: The PHAS mission provided help to the Ethiopian population threatened by war and famine in Ethiopia.
Polish Military Special Unit of United Nations Emergency Force in the Middle East (1973–1979)
After the Yom Kippur War, pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution No. 340 of October 25, 1973, the UN Emergency Force in the Middle East was established. In the years 1973-1979, the Polish Military Special Unit performed peacekeeping service, carrying out three basic mandate tasks: transport in the so-called second line, engineering protection of the buffer zone and medical security of the entire UN Defense Force. The PWJS mission is also the beginning of several decades of Poland’s involvement in peacekeeping activities under the UN blue flag.
Challenges of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland based for the act on the defense of the homeland and membership in the North Atlantic Alliance
The article, presents the role and tasks of the Polish Armed Forces in ensuring the security of the State, stressing that the formation of the security environment, in the state should be an overriding value, especially with regard to current threats. The paper presents information on the obligations and benefits of Poland’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO), and also addresses, the current structure of the Polish Armed Forces, describing the most important command positions in the Polish Armed Forces and their main tasks.
Functioning of the medical component in the Polish Military Contingent in Lebanon in 1992–2005
Purpose of the article is to discuss service of the Polish Medical Company in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). It describes the subject of preparation and training prior to the mission, service and tasks of the PolMedCoy, as well as contacts with other national contingents and local population. At the beginning of 1992 Secretary General of the United Nations Butrus Butrus Ghali has invited Poles to take over the UN Hospital after Norwegians and Swedes who were retreating to their countries. Polish Medical Company (PolMedCoy) in Lebanon under col.doc. Jerzy Banach started their service on 27th of April 1992, providing medical and dental care for all of the UNIFIL troops, counting from 5 to 7 thousand people, depending on the era of the mission. They were also trying, to the best of their abilities, to provide care to local population, deprived of medical services due to the armed conflict in the region. PolMedCoy ended it’s mandate in 2005, but other parts of the Polish contingent, engineering, logistics and renovation companies, continued service until 2009. Service of the PolMedCoy in Lebanon is important for a couple of reasons. Firs, it blazed a trail for companies to come. Social aspects of it’s participation in the missions cannot be overlooked. By providing medical care to other contingents and local people, Polish personnel of the UN hospital was on the frontline of contact with these groups, they were representing our nation and building it’s good name. Participation in the mission also created a great learning opportunity for Polish personnel to get accustomed with modern equipment and practice new procedures, such as the MEDEVAC service, a fairly new technique for Poles at the time. Issues mentioned above indicate, that PolMedCoy played an important role in the participation of Polish contingent in UNIFIL, as well as in broader history of Polish peacekeeping effort and prove the topic to be worthy of further exploration.
Formation and organization of the Polish Military Special Unit in the Second United Nations Emergency Forces (UNEF-II) in the Middle East in the light of source government documents
The Polish government received an invitation for a unit of the Polish Army to join the United Nations armed forces in the era of détente (1973). This was the first time that a contingent from Warsaw Pact countries took part in an international peacekeeping operation. The end of the war between the combined forces of Egypt and Syria and the state of Israel in October 1973, was forced by international intervention. This led to a cessation of hostilities and entry into peace talks. Poland was one of the countries invited to join the Second United Nations Emergency Forces (UNEF-II) in the Middle East. The government agreed to form the contingent by ordering the Minister of Defense to form the Polish Military Special Unit (PWJS). The entire operation took place in a hurry and in an area completely unknown to the Polish Army. The purpose of this article is to present the decision-making process for the establishment of the contingent and its organization based on archival documents found in the resources of the former Military Archives of the Ministry of Defense Central Institutions and now in the Central Military Archives.
The role of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) in military operations
The article outlines the role and tasks played by Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) in military operations within the scope of its military specialty in light of the latest NATO doctrinal documents in the face of contemporary challenges of 21st century threats. The article describes the role of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC), which has evolved in the course of world events to ensure the effective conduct of military operations in interaction with the civilian environment. It defines the specific function that CIMIC has for the military environment and the civilian environment, which are inextricably linked and directly influence each other in the context of their functioning nowadays.
The Future of Peacekeeping Missions in the Face of Hybrid Warfare
The article The Future of Peacekeeping Missions in the Face of Hybrid Warfare examines how the adaptation of peacekeeping missions to the challenges posed by hybrid wars can shape their future. It focuses on the necessity of integrating new tools and strategies to address the complexity of conflicts that combine conventional actions, cyber operations, disinformation, and irregular forces. The article highlights the need for an integrated approach, involving international cooperation and the use of emerging technologies, to effectively respond to the unpredictable nature and asymmetry of contemporary conflicts. The analysis suggests that future peacekeeping missions will require flexibility, innovation, and a deep understanding of changing security conditions to effectively build lasting peace.
Polish Police Contingents in UN Peacekeeping Missions in 1992–2023
Participation in UN peacekeeping missions is one of the forms of international cooperation of the Polish Police, which is a statuary task of this formation. Polish police contingents sent as part of UN missions, although small in number, played a certain role in providing security, as well as brought promotional benefits, and also were significant for exchange of experiences and development of contacts with police forces of other countries. Participation in peacekeeping operations abroad also caused institutional and legal changes in the Polish Police.
Participation of military chaplains in international missions abroad
As part of the pastoral service in the Military Ordinariate, in addition to the basic tasks in the country, participation in missions abroad is also assigned. Since 1990, military chaplains have been actively involved in missions organized by the UN, NATO and the EU. The form and scope of service are regulated by individual legal provisions from both the Ministry of National Defense and the Catholic Church. The aim of the publication is to show the presence of military chaplains in international missions abroad in the years 1990–2023.
Participation of military units of the Republic of Poland in the United Nations Mission in Croatia in 1992–1995 – outline of the problem
The internal conflict in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia began in June 1991, when Slovenia and neighboring Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia. The fighting in Slovenia ended after 10 days, while the escalation of the conflict in Croatia continued for the following months. Both the federal authorities and the Serbs living in the Republic of Croatia were against the separatist plans, supported by both the political elites of the Republic and the Croats. European Community efforts to halt hostilities in mid-1991 and resolve the crisis through the Conference on Yugoslavia proved ineffective. The United Nations also took part in peacekeeping activities, whose representatives actively participated in mediation between the parties to the conflict. At the end of 1991, regular fighting took place in Croatia between rebellious Serbian troops (with the support of the federal army) and the armed forces of the newly proclaimed Republic of Croatia. The Security Council decided, with the consent of representatives of the federal authorities and Croatia, to send a mission aimed at restoring peace between the parties to the conflict. The article presents the circumstances of creation and operation of the UNPROFOR PMC, which was placed in 1992 under legal responsibility in the “North” Sector, where, alongside Poles, Nigerians and Danes were stationed. The Polish battalion of UN peacekeeping forces in the former Yugoslavia served from April 1992 to December 1995, and ended its operations under the UNPROFOR mandate in March 1995. Over 3,000 soldiers joined POLBATT. It was the first operational mission of the Polish Army and the first when Poland regained full sovereignty. Polish soldiers, despite their lack of experience and the complicated political situation in the area of responsibility (in Krajina), fulfilled their mandate tasks and achieved satisfactory results during operational activities.
Origins and activities of The UN Peacekeeping Missions Veterans Association
Poland is a country that especially values freedom and peace. The history of the world is rich in achievements of our citizens, helping countries and nations who needed it. The value that immersed in the peacekeeping landscape is the service of Poles under the Flag of the UN, EU, OSCE and NATO. In many regions of the world, the Polish uniform is associated with determination, courage and respect for other cultures and religions. Polish soldiers serve on different continents, often in extremely difficult political, military and climatic conditions. They have repeatedly confirmed their top-notch soldierly professionalism, perfectly passing the exam of military craftsmanship, courage, creative thinking and quick adaptation to specific conditions. Veterans, former peacekeepers, may a lot of differences: age, time and place of service, but they have one thing in common – the awareness that their efforts have contributed to building a better and safer world. Since 1999, all peacekeepers, have also been trying to integrate the UN Peacekeeping Missions Veterans Association, which daily activities include, apart from helping the injured veterans and families of those who gave their lives on missions, popularizing the goals and tasks of peacekeeping operations in the society and the patriotic education, especially among young people. Their aim is to disseminate knowledge about the role of the United Nations in ensuring global security and peaceful resolution of conflicts, and in particular about the involvement of the Polish Army in peacekeeping operations. Members of the Association take part in conferences, scientific symposia and lectures. The Association inspires publishing activities, supports university students in writing bachelor’s and master’s theses, as well as doctoral dissertations on the subject of peacekeeping missions.
UN Peacekeeping Missions Veterans Association
Soldiers on modern military missions – how to reconcile ethics with the “need to kill”?
Major Grzegorz Kaliciak, a participant in the Iraqi mission, noted: “One movement of the hand that put an ends to someone’s life is at the same time the beginning of another battle - against oneself”. Henryk Sienkiewicz with a passion of a man of letters observed that the “war matches people with death”. This is not about admiration for those who fight, but about the fundamental question of whether and to what extent military service prepares a soldier for killing. This question arises from On Killing by Dave Grossman. Whoever has worn a soldier’s uniform and not been confronted with the necessity to kill can repeat after General Janusz Bronowicz that the book in question makes one realize “how exceptionally gently fate has dealt with me and soldiers of my age, sparing us everything that involves slaughter in combat”. Colonel Marian Porwit mentioned the need to “study the soldier in action”; it is a necessity especially in the context of the increasing talk about the “new great soldier”, one to be dehumanized by “improving”.
Sprawozdanie z VI Konferencji Naukowej z cyklu „Bezpieczeństwo Polski w XX i XXI wieku. Polska w międzynarodowych misjach pokojowych” Częstochowa 24–25 października 2023 r.
[rec.] Rudiger Fritsch, Punkt zwrotny. Wojna Putina i jej konsekwencje, Wydawnictwo Akademickie Sedno, Warszawa 2022
[rec.] Historiker Streiten. Gewalt und Holocaust – die Debatte, red. Susan Neiman, Michael Wildt, Propyläen Verlag, Berlin 2022, ss. 367
Multidimensionality of security in the modern world in the opinion of students
Issues discussed in the present article include the opinions on social safety, present and future social threats and actions taken in order to increase the sense of security collected from the student of Forensics and security systems of the Faculty of Science and Technology on the Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa. The research part of the study is preceded by the brief presentation of theoretical issues such as safety and its types, and the definition of sense of security, making use of which the authors would like to introduce the readers to the analysis of the results of the research.
The impact of new technologies on the safety of older people
Since the 1980s, Poland has seen a steady increase in the share of people aged 60+ in society. This phenomenon is connected with a fundamental technological revolution, especially in social communication. In the past, the ability to read and write was enough to communicate remotely, but today, with the development of information technology, knowledge of how to use many devices and communicators is necessary to avoid social exclusion. This creates many problems for older people in mastering technologies they had no contact with in their youth. But this revolution also brings about positive phenomena, which we will mention later.
Security as a criterion for assessing the right to information
This article is based on the premise that law and ethics play a key role in prioritizing security and access to and dissemination of information. In most countries, and certainly in every democratic state, there are laws guaranteeing citizens the right of access to public information. This law recognizes the importance of transparency and transparency in the activities of government and public institutions. On the other hand, information has a huge impact on various areas of security, so there is a need to manage, protect and monitor information.
Rivalry in the Arctic – old and new players
The Arctic is a strategic area where the interests of many actors in international relations converge. As a result, the importance of this region continues to grow. The increased interest in the area is the cause of many disputes. Currently, the rivalry in the sub-Arctic region is peaceful, but the geopolitical situation is dynamic and unpredictable. The author shows the disputes that are being conducted between Arctic states, and also discusses the areas of activity of the various players both from the so-called Arctic club and from outside the Arctic region. The article also addresses the future of the area. The author also attempted to provide a forecast of the development of rivalry in the Arctic.