Divided by the Rainbow: Culture War and Diffusion of Paleoconservative Values in Contemporary Poland

Over the last decade, representations of the rainbow were repeatedly disputed in Poland, revealing the ongoing socio-political changes in Poland and the country’s drift away from the generally liberal and secular values of the European mainstream. These cases showed a political growth and an increasing social diffusion of Polish ‘national paleoconservatism’. The aim of this article is to (1) discuss the intellectual roots of this distinct form of conservatism built upon the combative notions of national identity, patriotism, and Catholicism, and (2) present and analyze the development and diffusion of such conservatism based on conflicts over representations of the rainbow. By combining the historical and intellectual background with the contemporary case studies, the authors aim to facilitate a deeper understanding of the vitality of national conservative ideas among internationally unknown conservative intellectuals, who participate in a discursive ‘culture war’ against their liberal, progressive and secular opponents in present-day Poland. This ‘culture war’ revolved around the meaning of Polish national identity, the essential character of the country’s culture, and the position of Poland within the framework of European integration. The results of such analysis may not only improve the international understanding of the Polish situation but also shed light on similar developments in other European countries.