Dyplomacja obywatelska w polityce zagranicznej Polski. Między tradycją a instytucjonalizacją

The aim of this article is to analyze the role of citizen diplomacy in Poland’s foreign policy and to conceptualize it as a phenomenon situated at the intersection of the state and civil society. The research problem concerns determining whether citizen diplomacy can be regarded as an integral element of state strategy rather than merely an autonomous form of social activity in international relations. The authors formulate three research hypotheses: first, that citizen diplomacy constitutes a durable and historically grounded pillar of Polish foreign policy; second, that its contemporary form remains strongly shaped by historical experiences; and third, that it is implemented through diverse institutional and social channels functionally linked to the objectives of the state. The article is based on institutional and legal analysis, historical-comparative analysis, and the experience of cooperation between the state and civil society. The findings indicate that citizen diplomacy plays a significant role in Poland’s foreign policy by strengthening the country’s soft power potential and state resilience in the international environment. At the same time, its effectiveness depends on preserving the autonomy of civic organizations, as excessive political instrumentalization weakens their credibility and transnational capacity for influence.