Between Private Property, Authoritarian State and Democracy: Clearing Trees in Cities and Destroying the Białowieża Forest in Poland

Right-wing populist governments prioritize private property over public good, often leading to environmental degradation. This study reveals how Poland's 2017 Nature Conservation Act facilitated widespread tree felling in cities and landscape parks, while also escalating conflicts in the UNESCO-listed Białowieża Forest. The research demonstrates that such policies stem from neoliberal ideologies, where populist rhetoric masks authoritarian governance. By analyzing legal changes and international responses—including EU interventions—the study highlights a pattern: populist regimes exploit public sentiment to advance economic interests at the expense of conservation. This work underscores the tension between democratic ideals and neoliberal policies in environmental protection.

Żuk, P., & Żuk, P. (2020). Between Private Property, Authoritarian State and Democracy: Clearing Trees in Cities and Destroying the Białowieża Forest in Poland. Capitalism Nature Socialism, 32(2), 56–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/10455752.2020.1849335