Politeja (Aug 2019)
National Education and Educational Ideals in the Political Thought of the National Party (1928-1939)
Abstract
National Education and Educational Ideals in the Political Thought of the National Party (1928-1939) In the period of the Second Polish Republic, educational issues constituted a subject matter of interest to Polish political thinkers. Nonetheless, such issues were often perceived differently by the diverse ideological and political factions. According to such political entities, the interwar period was marked by the destabilisation of the previously existing social, political and cultural order, giving rise to a new reality. Visions of creating a “new,” “better,” more moral and socialised man began to appear in statements of almost all political circles. Such projections, however, entailed the rather disturbing prospect of far-reaching interference in the lives of all citizens, including their privacy. The postulate of changing the individual in order to meet the emerging “higher” objectives, social needs, and “lofty” principles, was put forward. The National Party developed a comprehensive educational programme. The aim of national education was to build a strong nation, and to prepare the society for an independent nation and functioning of the state. The principal categories of the National Party’s political thought included work, creation, and action. The condition of Polish society was also thoroughly analysed, with the ideal Pole being depicted as a hard-working, thrifty, conscientious and diligent person, dedicated to the nation and affairs of the state. Active and constructive attitudes were widely promoted, along with social responsibility, readiness to make sacrifices, self-determination and subordination to the individuals responsible for the implemented goals. National education was expected to give rise to “a definite Polish type” that would embody the truly Polish character and indigenous values cultivated from generation to generation by the natively Polish population. Its emergence would be possible by imposing adequate discipline and hierarchy.
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