The Inconsistent, Everyday Legal Consciousness of Contemporary Poles

On the basis of a nationwide survey conducted in 2020, this article strives to answer questions concerning the legal consciousness of contemporary Poles. Above all, it aims to establish whether the law is of value in Polish society—used as a tool for the resolution of conflicts, protection of rights, and the management of social relationships. The analysis is anchored in the Polish tradition of research on legal consciousness, but goes beyond that tradition to emphasize a sense of agency and competency as key components of legal consciousness. Moreover, the analysis links legal consciousness to other areas of life controlled by legal regulations. Supported by such theoretical considerations, this article presents an empirical model of legal consciousness in order to ponder a question about the empirical roots of the rule of law and legal alienation in the consciousness of Poles today.