The subject of this chapter concerns the prospect of Poland's post-communist transition and the future of the democratic nation-state. I want to set my remarks in the context of the long-term development of the nationstate in Europe. To do so I will begin by referring to a well-known essay on nationalism written by a nineteenth century British historian, best known for the adage that "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely" (Lord Acton, 1985, II, p. 383).