Good Change provides an insightful analysis of recent political developments in Poland, with particular attention to the emergence and subsequent decline of illiberalism and democratic backsliding. Authors Stanley Bill and Ben Stanley adopt a nuanced approach, offering a comprehensive examination of the political, institutional, economic, and societal dynamics underpinning these processes. They also advance broader reflections on Polish democracy and its competing visions, as represented by the social–liberal cleavage, while identifying patterns that extend beyond Eastern Europe. Against the backdrop of global autocratization, the Polish case offers key insights into both democratic decline and the possibilities of democratic renewal. Overall, the book constitutes an excellent contribution to the literature and is highly engaging to read.

However, two main criticisms can be identified. First, the analysis would benefit from deeper engagement with political ideology, particularly social conservatism and populism. A more sustained discussion of social conservatism would strengthen both the supply-side analysis and the examination of the social–liberal cleavage. Greater attention to the ideological foundations of Law and Justice (the Prawo i Sprawiedliwo?? [PiS] party) would also help clarify several of the book's central findings