17 December 2021

“Martial Law Children – forgotten heroes, the gap between history and politics”

We encourage you to read the material that appears as the first in our new series entitled “Opinions and Analyses of the Institute De Republica”.

“Martial Law Children – forgotten heroes, the gap between history and politics”

 

The author, dr Monika Maria Brzezińska, PhD, focuses on the role of children and their participation in the events triggered by the imposition of martial law in Poland on 13 December 1981:

“(…) the omission of historical facts by refusing to consider children as equally important actors and participants in political life as adults may pose a risk of distorting the facts and, in retrospect, lead to a gap within the very history. The purpose of the present analysis is thus to draw particular attention to the research deficits concerning the presence of children in politics, examined from the perspective of their opposition activity during the period of martial law in Poland and afterwards, until 1989. Hence, who were the children of martial law? How does history perceive them today and what is its attitude towards them? Are those children present in historical memory and if not, then why?”

The series “Opinions and Analyses of the Institute De Republica” comprises on-line publications in the formula of open access, focused on specific issues in the field of humanities and social sciences. Thematic framework of the series is determined by four main fields: history, culture, political science and law, while the studies not included in the aforementioned fields will be published in the category varia. “Opinions and Analyses of the Institute De Republica” will provide a scientific and practical view on the most important issues frequently discussed in public domain. The historical issues addressed will also serve to emphasise the undeniable connections between the past and the present.

All published studies are authored by eminent scientists from academic and research centres in Poland, who are distinguished by their knowledge and scientific achievements in a particular field.