Polish messianism is an outstanding phenomenon among various historical messianistic movements, in so far it is characterized through its peculiar objectives, amongst which the first and foremost was the regaining of Polish state independence and the aspiration to make Poland the spiritual leader and example of a multifaceted „rebirth” of human society. This particular messianism became drive and axis of Polish 19th century romanticist ambitions and achievements in the fields of both philosophy and literature. After Poland had regained its independence in 1918 this particular form of messianism had lost its „raison d’etre” and had to look for some convincing justification for its further existence. During WWII and up to the political transformations which set in in 1989, messianistic movements remained in a sort of catatonic state. Their resurgence were first to be observed in circles of the young academic intelligentsia, i.e. among high-school and university students and junior academic staff. As to their organization we can distinguish structures of various ideological orientations, some falling back on the good old apocalyptic visions, others refering to Catholic thought oriented on social commitment. These movements run printing shops where they publish their own magazines and books. Of lately it has been observed, that they extend their activities in many fields of public cultural life.
PL
Mesjanizm polski wyróżnia się wśród różnych historycznych nurtów mesjanizmu specyficznymi celami wśród których najważniejsze to dążenie do odzyskania niepodległego państwa polskiego i przyjecie przez Polskę roli inspiratora wielostronnego odrodzenia ludzkiej społeczności. Mesjanizm ten stanowił oś rodzimej twórczości romantycznej - filozoficznej i literackiej. Po odzyskaniu przez Polskę niepodległości mesjaniści bez powodzenia poszukiwali dla swojej działalności przekonujących uzasadnień. W okresie II wojny światowej i niemal do początku transformacji systemowej, rozpoczętej w1989 r. mesjanistyczne ruchy zamarły. Odradzać zaczęły się głównie w środowisku inteligencji akademickiej, wśród studentów i głównie młodszych pracowników nauki. Organizacyjnie tworzą struktury ze zróżnicowaną ideologią, jedne nawiązując do wizji apokaliptycznych inne odwołując się do społecznej myśli katolicyzmu. Ruchy te dysponują własnymi czasopismami i wydawnictwami, usiłują również zaznaczać swą obecność w wielu obszarach życia kulturalnego.
During the period of 1941–1944, “Walka” the head body of the National Party in the period of occupation published the series entitled “O co walczymy?” (What do we fight for?). It was comprised of 32 detailed drafts. They presented political, social and economic programme. At the same time, they comprise evidence of how the method of the programme invented by the NP was created during the four years of war. This article includes the analysis of the whole series entitled “O co walczymy?”, it depicts the political group where it was created and outlines the ideological and historic contexts. The analysis allows us to draw the conclusion that, at the beginning, the attention of the “O co walczymy” series’ authors was drawn to geopolitics and the issue of future borders. Since 1942 it was dominated by social and economic subjects. The “O co walczymy?” series proves that during the period of occupation, the National Party developed a comprehensive programme which included such issues as agricultural reform, education, higher education, the middle class, right for ownership, the judiciary, and work ethics. The local government and social organisations were to be the foundation of the “national political system”. Capitalism was to be the focal point of the system – as the source of moral standards and the safety catch protecting the national idea against distortion. The “O co walczymy?” series allows to imagine what the post-war Poland would be, if the power was not taken over by Communists.
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