At the Interection of Science and Propaganda: National Question Studies in Interwar Poland (Concepts, Institutions, Personalities)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the history of the scientific and propaganda background of Polish national policy in the interwar period. Poland’s political course developed under a strong influence of the ideology of prometheism, which was created by supporters of Marshal J. Pilsudski. This ideology was supposed to unite the small nations of Eastern Europe around Poland and to contribute to the disintegration of Russia. There are practically no descriptions of specific organizations in which this ideology was formed and honed in in the Russian historical literature. In this article, the author tries to partially fill in this gap. This study is devoted to the history of specific scientific institutions which were to study various aspects of the national question in connection with Promethean ideas. Their characteristic feature was the exploitation of a serious scientific base to solve specific political problems. The Oriental Institute, the Institute for the Study of the National Question, the Ukrainian Scientific Institute in Warsaw, and the Scientific Research Institute of Eastern Europe in Vilno combined the functions of research, often commissioned by the authorities for propaganda activities, and also collaborated with law enforcement agencies in the training of intelligence and sabotage personnel. The article provides an overview of the goals and objectives of these organizations, lists their leaders, and describes key moments in their history.

Received: 27.12.2024.
Revised: 31.01.2025.
Accepted: 18.03.2025.

Citation
Korotkova D. A. At the Interection of Science and Propaganda: National Question Studies in Interwar Poland (Concepts, Institutions, Personalities) // Slavic Almanac. 2025. No 1–1. P. 211–247 (in Russian). DOI: 10.31168/2073-5731.2025.1-2.09