The aim of this article is to interpret Polish liberalism in the light of Michael Oakeshott's political philosophy. I believe that Oakeshott has formulated one of the most convincing interpretations of liberalism, which enables us to understand what is the most valuable in this tradition and what is historically contingent. Oakeshott’s concepts and ideal types help us to see Polish experience with liberalism in a new light. I will argue that his political philosophy offers important terminological distinctions and interpretations that allow us to better understand this experience and, in particular, to identify the weaknesses of Polish liberalism after 1989.