Opinion Poland’s deputy PM writes: Rules-based order may be boring. But it’s crucial
Go to Russia. Then come to visit Poland and ask yourself a simple question: Where would you prefer your children to grow up? And where would you trust your money to work?
Today, however, the
global arrangement is increasingly questioned, particularly by many countries in the Global South — and often for
good reasons My own Indian journey began a few decades ago, when I worked as a correspondent for The Statesman. At that time, I had the privilege of observing India at close quarters — a country of debate, ambition and relentless forward momentum. That momentum has since translated into one of the most remarkable economic success stories of our time. It is therefore hardly surprising that our political paths eventually converged, culminating in the establishment of the Poland–India Strategic Partnership in 2024. Thanks to the vision of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this partnership is no longer a declaration of intent, but a practical framework for cooperation in trade, investment, technology and defence.
This bilateral agenda fits into a broader recalibration of Europe’s approach to Asia. As the European Union deepens its engagement with India, with an EU–India Summit planned later this month, Poland is determined not to be a spectator but a proactive partner — helping to shape a relationship grounded in shared interests and addressing common challenges.
There is no denying that we may be witnessing a gradual erosion of the rules-based international system that emerged after World War II. That system—built on international law, multilateral institutions, and shared norms such as respect for sovereignty and cooperation — was meant to replace brute force with predictability. Its record has been patchy at best, but for decades it delivered stability and growth across large parts of the world.
For Poland, this international order proved indispensable after the collapse of communism. Market reforms and integration into Western political, economic, and security structures created the foundations for sustained development and a credible national security policy. After 1989, the predictability and legal clarity of the post-war system allowed Poland not only to modernise, but to do so at remarkable speed.
Today, however, the global arrangement is increasingly questioned, particularly by many countries in the Global South — and often for good reasons. Critics point to Western dominance, imposition of lopsided standards, inadequate recognition of emerging powers’ interests, economic egoism, and selective application of international law through so-called double standards. These concerns deserve to be acknowledged and addressed, not dismissed.
Divergent interpretations of international law are starkly visible in reactions to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. What some countries — including mine — see as a blatant violation of basic international and humanitarian norms, others view as merely one local conflict among many. For them, this is not a reason to reassess relations with Russia, which they continue to regard as an important political and economic partner.
It is likely that these differences will never be reconciled. Historical experiences, political cultures, and geography all shape our national perspectives. Yet some rules are indispensable if international relations are to function at all. Without them, long-term investment becomes risky, trade unreliable, and cooperation fragile. Without rules, chaos prevails—and while chaos may benefit a few, it harms the many.
In an increasingly volatile world, some seek high-risk, high-return investments. That is one reason why valuations of AI companies are reaching stratospheric levels, and why new cryptocurrencies keep popping up all over the world, luring in millions. Others, however, prefer secure and stable investments, driving gold and silver prices to record highs.
For these less adventurous investors, predictability has become an increasingly valuable asset. The good news is that it can still be found in Europe. The European Union remains one of the few major global actors committed to fair trade, competitive markets, and mutually beneficial investment. Crucially, it continues to uphold the international rules agreed upon some 80 years ago, in the aftermath of the bloodiest conflict in human history.
Poland is a textbook example of how beneficial a stable and predictable environment can be. Barely three and a half decades ago, it embarked on a peaceful political and economic transformation — from a centrally planned system to a democratic, market-based economy. Since 1990, Poland’s GDP per capita has increased more than eightfold. Poverty has fallen dramatically, a strong middle class has emerged, modern infrastructure is now the envy of others, and Polish firms have moved up global value chains. Last year, my country entered the ranks of the world’s twenty largest economies.
Our history was hardly a walk in the park. We have had our share of conflicts, insurrections, and wars, and we have never avoided taking up arms when necessary. Yet the past 35 years have taught us a lesson: peace, predictability, and political order — when given a chance—can work miracles. Go to Russia. Then come to visit Poland and ask yourself a simple question: where would you prefer your children to grow up? And where would you trust your money to work? The boring rules-based order still makes a difference.
The writer is Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister
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