According to Jan Sowa it's not conservatism, xenofobia or strong Catholicism is the most important feature of a typical Pole, it is rather his loneliness. Although in terms of material good Poland is becoming more and more like the Western Europe, yet behind the modern facade hides a very different country from other members of the EU. It's ironic that the country which ones was the most ethnic and religious diverse in the whole of Europe is now understanding its identity to be based on national, ethinic and religious homogeneity. It is so ironic, as this ahistoric lack of diversity is a result of Hitler's and Stalin's decisions, something that most Poles would not want to acknowledge. This homogeneity unknown in other European countries can be seen not only in terms of its popualtion, but also in terms of its built enviroment, which tends to be very undiverse as well. This lack of diversity has been deepened since Poland joined the EU, because the most edcuated and active Poles have left the country in search of better perspective.
Poland has one of the lowest rates of trust towards others in the whole of Europe and that, according to Sowa, takes a heavy toll on how people function in the society and their life standards. Furthermore, this also overshadows foreign relations of the country. Poland is basically insolated from its neighbours, none of the relations can be described as really good. It is practically striking in case of Lithuania and Ukraine, with whom Poland shares a very long history. Yet, the unwilingess to accept the point of view of the others, acknowledge that Poles in the past were perpetrators (as well as victims) makes the impossible to built healthy relationship with any of the neighbour states.
The difference to the rest of the EU is also due to the fact that Poland is one of the last bastions of neo-liberalism on the continent. That is linked with superficial modernisation, which is limited only to the infrustructure (symbolised by Pendolino trains), but seems to have little or no effect on the mentality or ideas. This is why Poland refuses to give up its coal (which is of very bad quality), to take any refugeese or to give rights to sexual minorities. The neo-liberal dogma also results in Poles working longer than almost all other nationalities in the EU, despite being paid siginificantly lower wages.
The author, however, believes that it is possible that things will change in Poland and the mentalities will also change.
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