Prometeizm: utopijna idea czy realne narzędzie polskiej polityki wschodniej

The intensification and quality of Polish-Russian relations remains, despite passing years andgenerations, a key issue in discussions about Polish Eastern Policy choices. Successful warwith Bolshevik state in 1920 left Poland independent but has put an end the idea of federation.It has been replaced with “promethean” conception which genesis should be searched amongPolish emigrational and independence movements of 19th century. The “promethean” ideawas to lead to independence of nations remaining under Russian rule. This conception, withtime, become influential among Marshal Piłsudski’s supporters and was a part of Poland’sEastern policy until the Second World War. It harmed the relations with USSR and madea permanent Warsaw-Moscow cooperation impossible. After the Second War this conceptionbecome a history, an unwanted heritage for new, communist elite. It become again popularafter 1989 and again harmed Polish-Russian relations. The paper entitled “Prometheanconception: an utopia or real tool of Polish Eastern Policy” aims to answer the question aboutrationality of this idea, its coherence. It also formulates the broader question if utopia can bea permanent, well established issue in state’s policy, despite changing reality.Key words: Poland, Russia, prometheism, history, politics