The Ideas of Nation-Society of Florian Znaniecki under Democratic Conditions on the Example of the Third Republic of Poland

Florian Znaniecki – a representative of humanistic sociology – claims in his works that a nation is a product of civilization, a cultural group, organized on the principle of leadership. As a spiritual community it can exist independently of the territory and state organization, it is historically variable, its existence is determined by culture that encompasses the entire work of a nation, all material- technical, intellectual, artistic and aesthetic products as well as a language and other symbols as means of communication, all patterns of behaviour and actions, values and ideals (freedom, justice, honor) and standards arising from them. National culture, customs, religious worship, beliefs and ideals of national historical tradition are shared values and national groups are potentially available to all members of the group. “The principle of separateness” of a nation as a cultural group is shared culture. In democratic conditions of the Third Republic of Poland circumstances for the functioning and development of various types of societies based on the criteria of identity were created. In accordance with F. Znaniecki’s intention, national and ethnic groups can develop national culture or pursue shared cultural ideals. The article is an attempt to answer the question: "To what extent are the ideas of F. Znaniecki’s national society implemented in the Third Republic of Poland?" Referring to the literature, the author presents the ideas of F. Znaniecki’s national society, selected institutions and national organizations operating in the Third Republic of Poland.mpuczynski87@gmail.comWydział Historyczno-Socjologiczny, Uniwersytet w Białymstoku2322324