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Places that matter and places that don't: territorial revenge and counter-revenge in Poland

Author

Listed:
  • Adamiak, Czeslaw
  • Rodriguez-Pose, Andres
  • Churski, Pawel
  • Dubownik, Anna
  • Pietrzykowski, Maciej
  • Szyda, Barbara
  • Rosik, Piotr

Abstract

This article examines the persistence of territorial inequality and the challenges posed by growing geographic political polarisation, using Poland as a compelling case study. In 2015, the anti-elite and Eurosceptic PiS party came to power, holding it for eight years before losing to a broad coalition of liberal, centrist, and left-wing parties. We study the geography of this political shift by analysing parliamentary election results from 2011 to 2023 against the backdrop of growing regional socio-economic divides. Our findings reveal that the support base of the PiS gradually expanded in areas characterised by multidimensional peripherality, aligning with the theory of the ‘revenge of places that do not matter’. Meanwhile, the recent victory of the liberal coalition can be attributed to the political mobilisation of prosperous core areas – a ‘counter-revenge of places that matter’ – which has further intensified the geography of political polarisation in Poland.

Suggested Citation

  • Adamiak, Czeslaw & Rodriguez-Pose, Andres & Churski, Pawel & Dubownik, Anna & Pietrzykowski, Maciej & Szyda, Barbara & Rosik, Piotr, 2024. "Places that matter and places that don't: territorial revenge and counter-revenge in Poland," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 126536, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:126536
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    File URL: https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/126536/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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