Citizens - Serviceable State

Ladies and gentlemen,

behind us 7 debates of the 18th Civic Congress, whose motto was Poland – fresh opening. We discussed, among others, how to build a strong, democratic and civic Poland, discussed the future of agriculture and food production, the essence of the second large transformation of the economy, and tried to foretell how the improvement of technologies based on artificial intelligence would affect man. The most crucial question that we had in all discussions was this: how (re)build the community of Poles.

The key seems to be here. Citizens, who do not take either the attitude of "rebels" of this or any another political option, nor are they limited to functioning in a purely private sphere (the democracy of the ancient Greeks did not accidentally describe those not curious in social affairs as Idiots, noticing their destructive influence on the power of the political community). We request citizens who look at Poland and the Polish state as whole. They think in the categories ‘Rzeczpospolita’, feel strong in their country, subject and They anticipate a ministerial attitude from you. They look at the hands of all power, stand on the side common to all the "rules of the game" (certain basic principles) reflected in both the legal strategy and good political habits (political culture) and are active in society.

Poland is culturally, globally and politically diverse. It is natural for all nations and societies. due to the fact that we are different as people – 1 of us has a request for greater autonomy and freedom, another solidarity and community, and yet another hierarchy, belonging and respecting tradition. What, despite our differences, can bring us together in a political community is the common “rules of the game”. That's the point. Polish language – although we all usage it – is not adequate as a binder of a strong community.

The fresh elections showed large commitment to public affairs, but besides revealed that citizens want to reconstruct a certain strength balance. They do not want permanent dominance by 1 political group. Competition between parties is very useful – provided that all political forces respect these “rules of the game”. Their bending or breaking has profound consequences for the stableness of the full national and political community.

We have shown that we do not want a "your" country for 1 or another political group – we want a servant country that will supply good quality public services (health, education, social assistance, security, public transport, etc.), respond effectively to crises, pro-development, etc. Whether we are closer to the worldview of conservative, liberal or left-wing – through so many participation in the elections we have shown that we are strong and an entity as a community. The civic approach does not give legitimacy to "betoning" power and deliberately bending the "rule of the game" and utilizing institutions to destruct real competition for power.

Therefore, citizens not only participate in elections, but besides constitute a key part of a safe and fair ‘game rules’. The formal records themselves – as the practice has shown – are not enough. Citizens should, on the 1 hand, constantly keep a small mistrust of power – which ensures the effectiveness of control and forces a servitude attitude, and on the another hand give credit – to believe that the state and its institutions can be better, that it is worth (is) reforming them. If, as citizens, we stay after the elections only a cold reviewer, not including the large processes of securing and improving democracy on different fields and levels, then neither will it win this time.

As a Citizens' legislature we will proceed to you accompany in reasoning about Poland – trying to look from the position of the common and long-term improvement of our country. I encourage you to inspire yourself with our latest debates and texts, and I cordially invitation you to send your suggestions on what subjects we should address as part of the next edition of the Civic legislature in 2024.

With heartfelt greetings

Dr Jan Szomburg
Chairman of the Board of the Institute for marketplace economical Research
Initiator of the civilian Congress