Summary of “To Save Democracy, Here’s a Playbook That Works”

Episode Details:

• Title: To Save Democracy, Here’s a Playbook That Works
• Podcast: The Opinions
• Host: The New York Times Opinion
• Release Date: April 2, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled “To Save Democracy, Here’s a Playbook That Works,” hosted by David French, a columnist for The New York Times, the discussion centers around the threats to constitutional order in modern democracies, drawing parallels between the United States and Poland. French brings in Alexandra Gliskaniska Grabius, a law professor and author from Poland, to delve into Poland’s experience with right-wing populism and its robust response to defend democracy.

The Rise of the Law and Justice Party

At [00:14], David French expresses his concerns about the Trump administration’s impact on America’s constitutional integrity and introduces the topic of how other nations, particularly Poland, have navigated similar threats.

Alexandra Gliskaniska Grabius explains the emergence of Poland’s Law and Justice Party (PiS) in [01:32], highlighting the complex conditions that facilitated their rise to power in 2015. She notes, “There were many conditions which actually allowed Law and Justice to rise to power... refuges crisis, the discussions also about the future and security in Europe were on the rise” [01:47]. The Law and Justice Party, characterized as a right-wing populist movement, capitalized on these conditions to secure an unprecedented third term, marking the beginning of significant political shifts in Poland.

Attack on Rule of Law

French inquires about the specific moments that signified the erosion of constitutional norms under PiS. Grabius references the refusal to publish Constitutional Tribunal judgments as a critical turning point:

“They started right away with first inviting into the building of the Constitutional Tribunal three judges who were actually unconstitutionally appointed... the government just refused to put the signatures there. So the judgments have been not published at all, which meant they were not binding.” [03:10]

This act was a blatant defiance of the rule of law, signaling a systematic undermining of judicial independence. Grabius emphasizes the gravity of these actions, stating, “This is something unbelievable, something that should have never happened... proved what the intents to do and how it operates” [04:53].

Mobilizing the Pro-Democracy Movement

French observes that unlike in the United States, phrases like "rule of law" can effectively mobilize citizens in Poland. Grabius outlines a three-pronged approach that galvanized the pro-democracy movement:

1. Independent Judges’ Outreach: Judges and prosecutors abandoned traditional courtroom roles to engage directly with citizens. Grabius remarks, “They were traveling all over Poland, meeting with citizens... explaining what's happening and how it translates into their lives” [06:22].

2. The Free Courts Foundation: A small group of lawyers initiated strategic legal actions and media campaigns to challenge the government’s overreach. She describes their efforts as unprecedented in scale and impact [06:22].

3. Role of the Ombudsman: Professor Adam Bodnar effectively communicated the constitutional crisis in accessible language, bridging the gap between legal intricacies and public understanding [06:22].

These elements combined to create a sustained, non-partisan movement focused on educating and empowering ordinary citizens about the importance of democratic principles.

The Role of Historical Context

Grabius highlights the significance of Poland’s historical experiences with fascism and communism in shaping its contemporary political landscape. At [12:03], she states:

“The experience of Communism and Stalinism play a crucial role... were used by the pro-democratic movement to stress once again that these were the values like democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of press...”

This historical narrative not only fortified the pro-democracy movement but also provided a compelling framework for resisting authoritarian tendencies. However, Grabius also acknowledges that the PiS leveraged this history to foster nationalistic sentiments, arguing that Eastern Europe’s unique suffering under Soviet rule was often misunderstood within the broader European context [12:03].

Current Political Landscape in Poland

As of 2023, Poland has elected a centrist candidate, Donald Tusk, defeating the Law and Justice Party. However, Grabius warns that this victory is not the end of PiS’s influence. At [14:57], she notes:

“Law and Justice Party is still there. What is more, we have other populists, some claim, much worse than Law and Justice Party gaining votes.”

This ongoing presence of populist forces underscores the challenges in fully restoring and safeguarding the constitutional order, as the dismantling efforts by PiS have long-lasting effects that are difficult to reverse.

Sustaining the Movement and Support Networks

French probes into the endurance and resilience required to maintain such a movement. Grabius details the personal and collective strategies employed:

“They really had to create for themselves a kind of a support network... An enormous support coming from the very large part of the Polish society... support coming from our friends in Europe and also in the U.S. academics, lawyers, civil society.” [16:07]

The movement relied heavily on community building, international solidarity, and maintaining a sense of hope and purpose despite ongoing challenges. Grabius emphasizes the importance of not feeling isolated and having a structured support system to counteract feelings of helplessness [16:07].

Conclusion

In closing, Grabius expresses optimism about the resilience of democratic institutions:

“I truly believe in American judiciary and I hope it will also show its best when it's needed and I hope it will all turn into positive one day.” [18:38]

This sentiment encapsulates the episode’s core message: sustained, educated, and community-driven efforts are essential in defending and restoring democratic values against authoritarian threats.

Notable Quotes:

• David French ([04:44]): "Was that the key moment or were there other key moments that really crystallized in your mind that this is a crisis?"

• Alexandra Gliskaniska Grabius ([06:22]): "There were three parts of this pro democratic movement... independent judges... Free Courts... the role of the ombudsman..."

• Alexandra Gliskaniska Grabius ([12:03]): "The experience of Communism and Stalinism play a crucial role and was also used by the pro democratic movement..."

• Alexandra Gliskaniska Grabius ([16:07]): "They really had to create for themselves a kind of a support network... support coming from our friends in Europe and also in the U.S. academics, lawyers, civil society."

This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of Poland’s struggle to defend its democratic institutions against populist challenges, offering valuable insights and a potential playbook for other nations facing similar threats.