This essay explores the intricate relationship between Victor Fay, a Polish-French communist who over time became an anti-Stalinist and leftist socialist activist, and his homeland of Poland. It examines the foundations of Fay’s political education in Poland, his active role in the French workers’ movement, and his subsequent stance against Stalinism. The analysis focuses on Fay’s perspective on the political trajectory of communist Poland, from the period of the ‘thaw’ to the emergence of Solidarity, shaped by his experiences within both the Polish and French labour movements. To illuminate Fay’s critiques of communist Poland, the essay examines his views on the pathways to socialism, focusing on his interpretations of self-management and workers’ councils, as well as the influence of Rosa Luxemburg’s writings. Additionally, it addresses the nature of Fay’s anti-Stalinism during the Cold War, highlighting how his commitment to the left of the socialist movement informed his political stance.
Marion Labeÿ (2026) studied this question.