Poland: The Historical Underdog and Contemporary Protector of Ukraine : A Narrative Analysis on Ontological Security and Crisis in the Case of Poland

Abstract: In recent years, more research has been conducted to explain state behavior in relation to crises. Poland has taken a conservative turn since 2015, distancing itself from mainstream European strategies. This is explained by self-identity needs stemming from historical experiences and envisioned futures. The escalation of the war in Ukraine at the beginning of 2022 has impacted Polish ontological security, aligning Polish political goals with those of the European Union and Ukraine, while also confirming negative perceptions of Russia as an imperialist power. By conducting a case study on Poland using narrative analysis, three biographical narratives are identified. The war in Ukraine has deepened stories of Polish heroism, victimhood, and Poland as a progressive force or leader, implying that crisis does impact ontological security in this case. The theory of ontological security can therefore be argued to highlight mechanisms that traditional security perspectives overlook, providing a more complete picture of what shapes and motivates self-identity needs and state action.