This thesis examines how Poland adapted its migration policies in response to two major external shocks: the 2021 Belarusian border crisis and the 2022 influx of Ukrainian refugees. The study addresses the broader problem of how public administrations respond to crisis-induced migration pressures and whether such responses constitute structural policy change. The purpose is to analyse Poland’s contrasting restrictive and inclusive policy reactions within the framework of Punctuated Equilibrium Theory and Multi-level Governance.
The research employs a qualitative comparative case study design based exclusively on secondary data. A systematic document analysis was conducted of Polish legislative acts, governmental regulations, EU legal instruments, and reports from international organisations. A theory-informed framework derived from PET concepts was used to identify indicators of policy stability, disruption, issue reframing, and institutional restructuring.
The findings demonstrate that both crises served as external shocks that disrupted the existing migration policy equilibrium yet produced divergent policy trajectories. The Belarusian crisis led to rapid securitisation, expansion of executive authority, and restrictive border governance. In contrast, the Ukrainian refugee influx prompted expedited legal reforms that facilitated protection, integration, and social inclusion. These developments reflect distinct forms of policy punctuation shaped by crisis framing and EU-level coordination.
The study contributes to public administration and migration policy scholarship by applying PET to crisis-driven migration governance in Central and Eastern Europe. It highlights the interaction between national sovereignty and supranational obligations within multi-level governance structures. While limited to secondary data and a single-country context, the findings offer practical insights into crisis preparedness, policy flexibility, and the balance between security and humanitarian obligations.
|
