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The paper presents the results of studies on the estate autonomy and accountability of publicly funded higher education institutions in Poland. An attempt has been made to answer the questions: "Was the level of HEI campus use in recent years the subject of public and administrative control? Were the decisions on significant extension of campuses economically viable?" The questions are of special importance in view of the deepening demographic decline, the lower level of public funding and the growing estate operating costs. An analysis of empirical data shows that when considerable resources, both national and European, were available for HEI infrastructure upgrading and development, Polish HEIs were not under an obligation to show how they manage the assets at their disposal. This may have contributed to a substantial, albeit not always judicious increase in the space available, which in turn may give rise to financial problems of individual HEIs and affect the future of the whole system of higher education. ; W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań nad autonomią i rozliczalnością polskich uczelni publicznych w zakresie nieruchomości. Starano się w nim odpowiedzieć na pytanie: Czy w ostatnich latach uczelnie podlegały społecznej i administracyjnej kontroli poziomu wykorzystania posiadanych kampusów, a podejmowane przez nie decyzje o znacznej ich rozbudowie były ekonomicznie uzasadnione? Pytanie to ma szczególne znaczenie w dobie pogłębiającego się niżu demograficznego i zmniejszania stopnia finansowania szkolnictwa wyższego ze środków publicznych oraz rosnących kosztów utrzymania budynków. Analiza danych empirycznych pokazuje, że w okresie rozdzielania znacznych krajowych i europejskich środków publicznych na rozbudowę czy modernizację infrastruktury akademickiej uczelnie w Polsce nie były zobligowane do wykazywania, jak gospodarują powierzonym im majątkiem. W konsekwencji mogło przyczynić się to do istotnego (nie zawsze jednak uzasadnionego) wzrostu powierzchni uczelnianych zasobów, który może w kolejnych latach skutkować problemami finansowymi poszczególnych jednostek, a także determinować przyszłość całego systemu szkolnictwa wyższego.

The main aim of this article is to analyze the phenomenon of football hooliganism in Poland. This analysis is evolving – that is the reason why constant studies are being conducted. Additionally, the author decided to show the genesis of football hooliganism and he described supporters' community. A great asset to the article is a depth interview which with active hooligans from the biggest Polish supporters' groups. Thanks to this interview, the author verified a part of the information available in different articles.

It can be argued that the Constitution of the Fifth Republic is an asset for France, if only because of its longevity. Besides, given the objective set by its founders in 1958, namely to restore the state around the executive, the Fifth Republic is undoubtedly a success. However, this success has led to an imbalance in the functioning of the institutions, which, despite attempts at reform, remain essentially centred on the head of state. The article addresses this issue through the prism of three fundamental issues: 'the spirit' of the Constitution, focused on the reconstruction of the State; 'institutions', unequal in favour of the President of the Republic; and 'practice', sometimes unconstitutional.

The aim of this article was to portray the complexity of the crisis/war in Ukraine, an event that has shaken Europe more than any other since World War II. The complexity of the crisis could be located in the involvement of external powers (Russia, US, NATO, EU, Turkey, etc.). Zbigniew Brzezinski throws light on the geopolitical significance of Ukraine in the context of the tendency of great powers to secure dominance in Eurasia. Brzezinski assigned Ukraine as a "pivotal" figure on the "Eurasian chessboard" due to its vital geostrategic position, major resources, access to the Black Sea, and importance for Russian strategic interests. In terms of a realist perspective and geopolitical thoughts, Brzezinski's writings still represent a valuable asset in the analysis of the current crisis in Ukraine.

Despite one of the fastest rates of economic growth among the European Union countries in 2010-2019, Poland did not experience any significant improvement in meeting the housing needs of less affluent households. The stock of municipal housing is characterised by low availability and a high degree of asset depreciation as well as growing rent arrears. In the face of the upcoming economic downturn caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, the implementation of municipal tasks in the field of housing will be further hindered. To prevent this, the authors present a number of recommendations for regulatory changes for local government units and central institutions that will improve the implementation of the state's housing policies in the field of municipal housing.

Loans indexed and denominated in foreign currencies were granted in Poland to those not receiving income in a foreign currency, in the period from 2000 to 2013. In this period, housing loans were the fastest growing item in bank assets in Poland. Only in the period from December 2002 to the end of 2012, the share of housing loans in the assets of banks increased more than five times, and in receivables from the non-financial sector increased fourfold. A significant change in foreign exchange rates (e.g. CHF, EUR, USD and JPY) in relation to the zloty contributed directly to the current value of the costs of operating liabilities, as well as the valuation of the total mortgage obligations relating to foreign exchange, the value of credit and its costs calculated in PLN. The significant ease of obtaining a mortgage in foreign currencies in relation to the PLN loan resulted in the entry into the group of borrowers of individuals and households who would not receive a PLN loan at the time, and would not, therefore, lead to a real estate purchase transaction. The author points out the social consequences of the emergence of a significant group of citizens burdened with high indebtedness. In his opinion, a generation of "credit slaves" emerged as a new social phenomenon - living with the awareness of a long-standing unpaid financial obligation. This limits the socio-economic activity, and builds indifference to debt, i.e. a state in which each subsequent commitment 'does not worsen' such a bad situation. The author also presents the proposals and activities of political groups and the borrower community itself aimed at solving this situation. The subject of the analysis is the scale and socio-economic effects of placing mortgage loans relating to foreign currencies on the market. The aim of the study is an attempt to identify the socio-economic effects and scale of the public policy negligence against the crisis of the so-called 'foreign currency loans'. The analysis was carried out on the data from the period 1989-2016.

Although the Solidarity Election Action (AWS) had been the first impressive attempt to unite right-wing groupings after 1989 which was effected in practice, it failed to develop a united, coherent image for the purpose of contacts with the media throughout the whole period it was in power. Reality showed that right-wing politicians failed to take advantage of the assets of the new grouping. Incompetence of its leaders and absence of a coherent policy quickly overshadowed the success of the Solidarity Election Action. As a consequence, Solidarity Election Action has wasted an enormous chance and failed to become a united group of the Polish right wing. Leaders of individual organizations composing the AWS did not give up their leaders' ambitions, which became particularly significant towards the end of theAWS-UW(Solidarity Election Action – Liberty Union) coalition, when the right-wing block was eroding rapidly.

Although the Solidarity Election Action (AWS) had been the first impressive attempt to unite right-wing groupings after 1989 which was effected in practice, it failed to develop a united, coherent image for the purpose of contacts with the media throughout the whole period it was in power. Reality showed that right-wing politi- cians failed to take advantage of the assets of the new grouping. Incompetence of its leaders and absence of a coherent policy quickly overshadowed the success of the Soli- darity Election Action. As a consequence, Solidarity Election Action has wasted an enormous chance and failed to become a united group of the Polish right wing. Leaders of individual organizations composing the AWS did not give up their leaders' ambitions, which became particularly significant towards the end of the AWS-UW (Solidarity Election Action – Liberty Union) coalition, when the right-wing block was eroding rapidly.

This book is a reflection on Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) from the perspective of political science. SWFs are not independent political actors but rather states' investment arms that can be instrumentally use to pursue political and economic power. The main aim of the book is to conceptualise the significance of SWFs as instruments of the economic statecraft. The author investigates enabling factors as well as methods of using SWFs as foreign policy instruments. The book starts from the concept of economic statecraft and its instrument, than three case studies of countries owning significant SWFs (China, Norway and Russia) are analysed. The author puts SWFs to the extended catalogue of the instruments of economic statecraft and make the comprehensive list of methods in which states use their SWFs for foreign policy reasons. Moreover the study proves that the level of control of the state over the SWF, rather than e.g. the size of assets, is the main factor that enable political actions of funds.

This article is a comparative analysis of the legal nature and the rights and obligations of parties concluding property insurance contracts under the provisions of the Maritime Code and the Civil Code. When navigating a ship, the shipowner conducts a business commonly referred to as the operation of a ship, which includes, inter alia, its use for business purposes. The shipowner business is therefore an economic activity and the owner is the entrepreneur who runs his business which s/he is liable for. It is his/her broad interest to insure permanent assets of his/her company against damage as well as his/her civil liability. As the text indicates, s/he is treated by the legislature more severely than a person conducting a standard property insurance. In addition, the legal nature of the policy, due to the requirements of maritime traffic, differs from that from the Civil Code. The purpose of this study is to identify the key differences between the two regulations.

The article analyses the Jordanian foreign policy with a primary focus on Jordan's status as a buffer state. This characteristic can be regarded as a key determinant of the foreign policy, which not only defines vital interests of the monarchy, but also shapes its behaviour in the international arena and impacts on its domestic scene. Consequently, main trends in the Jordanian foreign policy are explored: moderation, quest for regional modus vivendi and long-standing alliance with the West. The author also indicates that with a relative scarcity of natural resources and weak economy, foreign policy becomes a strategic national asset of Jordan, a tool of domestic legitimacy for the political regime, and evidence of interlinked state interests and dynastic ambitions of the Hashemite family. The article concludes that despite regional turmoil in the wake of the Arab revolts, Jordan remains relatively stable and is skillfully playing its diplomatic card in order to gain leeway on the domestic front. ; Artur Malantowicz

The article is devoted to aspects of the functioning of public administration. Due to the nature and the properties of its functioning, the administration has many characteristics (acts on behalf and for the account of the State, it is of political nature, it works in the public interest, etc.). In addition to the fact that the administration has those characteristics, it also has to meet the specific functions such as controlling, performance of public duties, and management of organizations' resources. Therefore, the activities of administration fulfill four important from the perspective of citizens' spheres of activity: asset managment, social services, regulation services and the development managment. The condition for efficient administration are the considerations which include: appropriate organizational structures, staff, maintaining the appropriate relationship between people, appropriately structured work process and technical equipment and information. It should be stressed that all activities are compliant with the European Code of Good Administrative Behaviour and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the documents constituting a kind of moral statement in the administrative field and an integral part of public administration in the European Union

After the collapse of the USSR, a huge superpower that occupied one sixth of the land, the question of succession arose before the states that were part of it. The USSR occupied a vast territory, participated in international obligations, had debts, was a member of international organizations. It was obvious that the relationship between the newly formed states depended on how it was possible to divide the "legacy" of the USSR. The USSR took an active position at the international level, was engaged in the development of weapons. The issue of dividing all assets and liabilities worried the entire international community. His decision was difficult, and the legal basis for making decisions on succession did not seem to everyone to be indisputable. At present, it is obvious to everyone that the Russian Federation became the main heir of the USSR, it was the Russian Federation that continued the policy of the USSR, continued to participate in international relations and in the fulfillment of obligations, despite the equality of all states that were part of the USSR. The issues of the succession of the USSR and Russia are the subject of study of modern international law. Within the framework of this article, some aspects of the indicated topic will be highlighted.

The reinstatement of local government at the level of the district in Poland in 1990 has resulted in the actual empowerment of local communities, while the local governments have become able to define the goals of local policy that are in line with the expectations of local communities. The local government of Kalisz has taken advantage of the new opportunities to improve the living conditions and standard of living of its citizens since it was instituted. Over the years, due to changes in the political system, related to the establishment of counties, the local government of Kalisz has received new operating opportunities, implementing projects at the level of both districts and counties. The political transformation was complemented by the changes in the election principles of the executive, which has significantly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the President of Kalisz. The activities of local government have been concentrated on the increasing of social integration by means of taking maximum advantage of local assets and potential. In order to achieve these goals promotional instruments have been employed to encourage foreign investors to investment in Kalisz. A significant part of the local government's activities concern its longstanding international cooperation with towns in Western, as well as Central and Eastern Europe.

The reinstatement of local government at the level of the district in Poland in 1990 has resulted in the actual empowerment of local communities, while the local governments have become able to define the goals of local policy that are in line with the expectations of local communities. The local government of Kalisz has taken advantage of the new opportunities to improve the living conditions and standard of living of its citizens since it was instituted. Over the years, due to changes in the political system, related to the establishment of counties, the local government of Kalisz has received new operating opportunities, implementing projects at the level of both districts and counties. The political transformation was complemented by the changes in the election principles of the executive, which has significantly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the President of Kalisz. The activities of local government have been concentrated on the increasing of social integration by means of taking maximum advantage of local assets and potential. In order to achieve these goals promotional instruments have been employed to encourage foreign investors to investment in Kalisz. A significant part of the local government's activities concern its longstanding international cooperation with towns in Western, as well as Central and Eastern Europe.