Suchergebnisse

The purpose of the present paper is to characterise the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution No. 65 276 on the 'Participation of the European Union in the work of the United Nations.' This resolution was adopted as a result of efforts undertaken by the EU following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon which radically changed the principles and conditions of the EU's participation in other international organisations. Pursuant to the provisions of Resolution 65 276, the EU was granted a new set of new rights at the UNGA as well as in some of its subsidiary bodies, international conferences and meetings held under its auspices. Despite these changes, the status of the EU at the UNGA is not similar to the status of observer states, and Resolution 65 276 points out that the same rights may also be accorded to other regional international organisations. Consequently, the UNGA does not account for the uniqueness of the integration process in the EU member states, treating the EU like any other international organisation.

Społeczność międzynarodowa stoi w obliczu rozproszonego i ponadnarodowego zagrożenia epidemiologicznego, którego powaga i rozmiar wymagają obecnie niespotykanego poziomu interwencji. Na przestrzeni wieków ludzkość zmagała się z różnymi epidemia, co zawsze wiązało się z koniecznością kompleksowego działania na płaszczyźnie międzynarodowej. Zdaniem Rady Bezpieczeństwa ONZ epidemia spowodowana wirusem ebola, która wybuchła pod koniec 2013 r., stanowi szczególne zagrożenie dla pokoju i bezpieczeństwa międzynarodowego, ponieważ zdobycze w obszarze budowania pokoju i rozwoju krajów najbardziej dotkniętych epidemią mogą zostać zaprzepaszczone. To z kolei podważa stabilność krajów najbardziej nią dotkniętych. Jeśli nie zostanie opanowana, to sytuacja taka może doprowadzić do wybuchu nowych niepokojów i napięć społecznych, pogorszenia klimatu politycznego, stygmatyzacji i wzmocnienia poczucia niepewności. Podjęta w tej sprawie przez Radę Bezpieczeństwa ONZ rezolucja ma wymiar historyczny, gdyż po raz pierwszy problem zdrowia publicznego został zaklasyfikowany jako zagrożenie dla pokoju i bezpieczeństwa międzynarodowego. Stało się tak, mimo że mobilizacja międzynarodowa była spóźniona o kilka miesięcy, chociaż konieczność podjęcia działań była wówczas oczywista. ; The international community faces a fragmented and transnational epidemiological threat, the severity and extent of which currently require an unprecedented level of intervention. Over the centuries, mankind has been confronted with a variety of epidemics that have always required a comprehensive action at the international level. According to the UN Security Council, the outbreak of the Ebola virus at the end of 2013 poses a particular threat to international peace and security, as the peace-building and development achievements of the countries most affected by the epidemic are jeopardised and may end in vain or be lost altogether. This in turn undermines the stability of the countries most affected. If the disease is not brought under control, this situation might lead to a new unrest and social tensions, and worsening of the political climate, or stigmatisation and a higher sense of uncertainty in the region. The resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on this matter has a historic dimension, as it has for the first time classified a public health problem as a threat to international peace and security. This happened despite the fact that international mobilisation had been delayed by several months, despite the obvious urgent need for action.

The purpose of the present paper is to characterise the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution No. 65 276 on the 'Participation of the European Union in the work of the United Nations.' This resolution was adopted as a result of efforts undertaken by the EU following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon which radically changed the principles and conditions of the EU's participation in other international organisations. Pursuant to the provisions of Resolution 65 276, the EU was granted a new set of new rights at the UNGA as well as in some of its subsidiary bodies, international conferences and meetings held under its auspices. Despite these changes, the status of the EU at the UNGA is not similar to the status of observer states, and Resolution 65 276 points out that the same rights may also be accorded to other regional international organisations. Consequently, the UNGA does not account for the uniqueness of the integration process in the EU member states, treating the EU like any other international organisation. ; Celem prezentowanego artykułu jest dokonanie charakterystyki rezolucji Zgromadzenia Ogólnego ONZ nr 65/276 w sprawie statusu uczestniczącego Unii Europejskiej w pracach ONZ. Powyższa rezolucja przyjęta została w rezultacie zabiegów podjętych przez UE po wejściu w życie Traktatu z Lizbony, który zmienił zasady i warunki udziału UE w innych organizacjach międzynarodowych. Na podstawie postanowień rezolucji 65/276 UE otrzymała zupełnie nowe prawa w ZO ONZ, a także w niektórych jego organach pomocniczych oraz międzynarodowych konferencjach i spotkaniach organizowanych pod jego auspicjami. Pomimo tych zmian status UE przy ZO ONZ nie jest podobny do statusu państw obserwatorów, a rezolucja nr 65/276 podkreśla, że takie same prawa, jakie posiada UE, mogą otrzymać również inne regionalne organizacje międzynarodowe. Tym samym ZO ONZ nie uwzględnia wyjątkowości procesu integracji państw w ramach UE i traktuje ją jak każdą inną organizację międzynarodową.

Celem artykułu jest ukazanie wpływu i logicznych konsekwencji efektów dyskursu na temat związków między uniwersalizmem, modernizacją i westernizacją na promowane przez różne międzynarodowe organizacje i agencje ratingowe standardy pożądanych wzorców ładu instytucjonalnego sprzyjającego wzrostowi międzynarodowej instytucjonalnej konkurencyjności gospodarek. Problematyka ta mieści się również w obszarze badań współczesnej teorii modernizacji. Bez względu na fakt ogromnego dorobku badawczego w tym zakresie, ciągle trudno ocenić konkurencyjność ładu instytucjonalnego ex ante. Dominują zdecydowanie oceny ex post. ; The relationship between institutional structure and economic development is an extremely important from international competitiveness of economies point of view. The paper analyses this relationship and issues related to it from European concept of universalism as a base for international ratings of European concept of universalism as a base for international ratings of institutional competitiveness. Modernisation and westernisation is usually a desirable model of institutional change in contemporary world economy. Taking in to the consider path dependency of China, Japan, South Korea and other countries is necessary to ask a question: do economics offer today an universal model of institutional changes from the rate of economic growth point of view? There is a strong link between idea of universalism and promoting by international organisations and economists institutional order desirable model but it does not mean that it is really desirable.

The relationship between institutional structure and economic development is an extremely important from international competitiveness of economies point of view. The paper analyses this relationship and issues related to it from European concept of universalism as a base for international ratings of European concept of universalism as a base for international ratings of institutional competitiveness. Modernisation and westernisation is usually a desirable model of institutional change in contemporary world economy. Taking in to the consider path dependency of China, Japan, South Korea and other countries is necessary to ask a question: do economics offer today an universal model of institutional changes from the rate of economic growth point of view? There is a strong link between idea of universalism and promoting by international organisations and economists institutional order desirable model but it does not mean that it is really desirable. ; Celem artykułu jest ukazanie wpływu i logicznych konsekwencji efektów dyskursu na temat związków między uniwersalizmem, modernizacją i westernizacją na promowane przez różne międzynarodowe organizacje i agencje ratingowe standardy pożądanych wzorców ładu instytucjonalnego sprzyjającego wzrostowi międzynarodowej instytucjonalnej konkurencyjności gospodarek. Problematyka ta mieści się również w obszarze badań współczesnej teorii modernizacji. Bez względu na fakt ogromnego dorobku badawczego w tym zakresie, ciągle trudno ocenić konkurencyjność ładu instytucjonalnego ex ante. Dominują zdecydowanie oceny ex post.

The article analyses the role of European Union (EU) and NATO in the system of the international security. The official documents often highlights that EU and NATO are unique and essential partners. Both organisations share common values and have 22 common members. Furthermore, it is stressed that UE and NATO can and should be complementary to one another and help one another in pressing area of international peace and security. Unfortunately co-operation between these both organisations still maintain difficult, complex and challenging problem. ; W artykule poddano analizie rolę Unii Europejskiej (UE) i NATO w systemie bezpieczeństwa międzynarodowego. W oficjalnych dokumentach często pojawia się stwierdzenie, że UE i NATO to wyjątkowi partnerzy. Obie organizacje łączą wspólne wartości, a 22 państwa członkowskie NATO należą też do UE. Podkreśla się, że UE i NATO mogą, a nawet powinny wzajemnie się wspierać i uzupełniać w dziedzinie międzynarodowego pokoju i bezpieczeństwa. Niestety, współpraca pomiędzy nimi stanowi trudny i złożony problem.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established in 1996 as a joint response from China, Russia and the three Central Asian republics to growing threats to international security in the Central Asia region. Over the next two decades, the SCO has not only become an important guarantor of security and inter-state dialogue in the region but has also created a number of internal institutions specializing in, i.a. economic and energy cooperation. From the very beginning of its existence, China was its main patron and a strong supporter of tightening cooperation and expanding the organization to include more member states. China was also the author of the SCO rhetoric regarding the New Silk Road, which since 2013 has also become the leitmotif of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) established by China to develop economic cooperation with Asian and European countries. The main research issue of this paper is an answer to the question of how SCO has changed under the influence of the BRI. This problem will be analysed through two lenses: how has the Belt and Path Initiative influenced the direction of SCO development? And what effect does the rhetoric of the Silk Road have on international assessment of the SCO activities?

Celem artykułu jest ukazanie wpływu i logicznych konsekwencji efektów dyskursu na temat związków między uniwersalizmem, modernizacją i westernizacją na promowane przez różne międzynarodowe organizacje i agencje ratingowe standardy pożądanych wzorców ładu instytucjonalnego sprzyjającego wzrostowi międzynarodowej instytucjonalnej konkurencyjności gospodarek. Problematyka ta mieści się również w obszarze badań współczesnej teorii modernizacji. Bez względu na fakt ogromnego dorobku badawczego w tym zakresie, ciągle trudno ocenić konkurencyjność ładu instytucjonalnego ex ante . Dominują zdecydowanie oceny ex post . ; The relationship between institutional structure and economic development is an extremely important from international competitiveness of economies point of view. The paper analyses this relationship and issues related to it from European concept of universalism as a base for international ratings of European concept of universalism as a base for international ratings of institutional competitiveness. Modernisation and westernisation is usually a desirable model of institutional change in contemporary world economy. Taking in to the consider path dependency of China, Japan, South Korea and other countries is necessary to ask a question: do economics offer today an universal model of institutional changes from the rate of economic growth point of view? There is a strong link between idea of universalism and promoting by international organisations and economists institutional order desirable model but it does not mean that it is really desirable.

Abstract One of the contemporary political powers characterised by an ambivalent attitude toward state authority are extreme organisations. Agata Kałabunowska undertakes this issue in the chapter The vision of authority in political programmes of contemporary German extreme right organisations, which aims at depicting the attitude of selected radical organisations toward a broadly defined authority. Based on qualitative content analysis of political programmes, declarations and performances of five German right-wing organisations the author tackles the question about their attitude towards the actual state authority, as well as about their desired model of executing power. Several elements of the far right' criticism towards authorities have been analysed, such as subservience to the foreign power of international organisations, faulty immigration policies, pressure within political parties or excessive bureaucratisation. The author points out that the multitude of far right' arguments against current authorities is not equaled by quality or quantity of suggested political alternatives. The potential efficiency of suggested solutions is uncertain, which is accompanied by lack of exact vision on how to put them in practice, which makes these proposals unrealistic. What is more, due to the fact that the German extreme right does participate in the contested political game its message seems untrustworthy. The far right appears not capable – and definitely not willing – to fix the current system, allegedly depriving the nation from its real influence on the decision making process. This observation leads to the conclusion that the far right' ideal vision of exercising power would be based on negation or distortion of current solutions. Although it was not possible to outline how this ideal would look like in details, the author concludes that we can expect from the extreme right that its imagined political authority will be inconsistent with liberal democratic rules, albeit not necessarily authoritarian nor ...

The book contains a thorough analysis of the European Union institutional system as a specific, sui generis international organisation, in the context of its legitimization (its validity and legitimacy). The book is mainly theoretical. Primarily, the author aims at presenting a reliable depiction of the EU institutional system legitimization through the prism of the theoretical output concerning legitimization of the political power, including and accentuating the indicated specificity of the EU as a distinct international organisation. Secondly, he took into consideration the changes introduced into the legal foundations of the EU functioning, pursuant to the Lisbon Treaty – the latest treaty reforming the structures of the Union. In the context of the main theme of the present study, these changes are important not only in terms of the EU institutions themselves, i.e. their competences and reciprocal relations, but also with regard to the fundamental change of the legal character of the EU, and the alterations introduced into the individual Union politics. Thirdly, the author attempts to present the problem of the EU institutional system legitimization in the special circumstances, i.e. in the situation of the most profound economic crisis that the EU members have faced since the beginning of the integration process. The EU is regarded as a specific structure, being neither a state nor a typical international organisation. Such an approach was the starting point for the main premise of the present book – the idea that the thesis about the deficiency of democracy in the EU, formulated in the literature on the subject and in the public debate, is a certain simplification, and the characteristic features of the EU and its institutions, which provoked the formulation of such a thesis, should be considered in a broader context, such as the problem of the EU institutional system legitimization and, alternatively, the deficiency of that legitimization. For the direct democratic legitimization is only one of many sources of legitimacy of the EU institutional system and of the Union as a specific international organisation in general – an extremely important source, perhaps the most important, yet not the only one. Thus, the legitimization of the EU and its institutions should be analysed in a broader perspective, which also includes other sources of legitimization – as it is done in case of every political power which, striving for its legitimization to be as strong as possible, attempts to derive it from the largest number of sources. According to the author of the book, to base the EU institutional system legitimization only on the grounds of the direct democratic legitimization characteristic of a democratic state, would be tantamount to a certain disruption of the right order. It would rather be a symptom of too advanced an integration on the "institutional" level in comparison to the extent of the "material" integration. Until the EU is a structure sui generis, in which case it is a combination of features characteristic of an intergovernmental, international organisation, a supranational organisation or a state, the nature of legitimization of this structure should also be specific. The most important role should be played by the democratic legitimization, which should be completed with other sources, owing to which the functioning of the EU institutional system, and the whole EU, could be recognised as legally valid. Apart from the main thesis also other theses and hypotheses are posed in the book. The first chapter is a certain theoretical introduction and a basis to the deliberations presented in the further parts of this study. In the first subsection, with reference to the literature on the subject, the problem of legitimization (legitimacy) of the political power, i.e. the concept, classifications and sources of legitimization (legitimacy) of the political power, have been synthetically depicted. In another part of chapter one, the author attempts to relate the problem of legitimization to the EU as a specific international organisation and to formulate his own definition of legitimization deficiency with regard to EU institutional system. Bearing in mind that the problem of legitimization deficiency in the EU (EC) has not been discussed on a larger scale until certain stage of development of integration process was reached, in 1.3. subsection, the author raises some questions concerning: the sufficiency of legitimization of the integration process during the first few decades after the Second World War, the grounds for that legitimization and the reasons why, at a certain stage of the EU (EC) development the legitimization of the Union's institutional system started to be considered insufficient, which was manifested in the opinions acknowledging the democracy and legitimization deficiency. The first chapter ends with a passage devoted to the importance of the EU institutional system legitimization, whereas the significance of legitimization to the political power and political institutions in general, consitutes its reference point. The second chapter (subsections 2.3.–2.8.) presents a synthesis of the evolution of the EU (EC) institutional system in the context of its legitimization, from the moment of the EC founding treaties ratification, till the time the changes pursuant to the Lisbon Treaty were introduced. The author focused here mainly on the competences of the particular EC (EU) institutions and their reciprocal relations, which should make it possible to observe two main tendencies in the dynamics of changes taking place in this field, and present its specificity and distinctiveness in comparison to the systems of democratic states. At the beginning of this chapter, a thesis has been formulated (simultaneously, becoming an extension of the attempt to determine why, at a certain stage of the integration process, the issue of democracy/legitimization deficiency started to be discussed – a question that was raised in the first chapter), which states that the legitimization of the EU institutional system will be sufficient, if the law regulations and political practice of their functioning are convergent with the level of advancement of the integration process in various spheres of social life; in other words, the "institutional" integration should correspond with the "material" integration (that is the Union politics). To that end, the author made an attempt to present, in a synthetized form, the development of the "material" integration (subsection 2.1.), which he completed with an analogical endeavour to illustrate the evolution of the EU (EC) institutional system in the context of its legitimization (subsection 2.9). For in accordance with the increasingly common approach, the EU institutions are treated as a system, the concept and principles of which have been presented in 2.2. subsection. In the third chapter, the author presents the EU institutional system in its current form, that is with the changes introduced under the Lisbon Treaty. Here, the selected aspects regarding competences and functioning of the particular EU institutions have been depicted, as well as the relations between them in the context of legitimization. Additionally, three selected problems regarding the EU institutional system have been raised, which are especially important in the context of its legitimization (the relation between the EU institutional system and the institutions of the EU member states, the question of transparency in the functioning of the EU institutions, as well as the Union budgets in the consecutive years). In the last subsection (3.9.) the specific features of the EU institutional system, significant in the context of its legitimization, have been identified. The fourth chapter is devoted to the functioning of the EU institutional system in the perspective of four basic sources of its legitimization, i.e. indirect and technocratic, direct and democratic, utilitarian, and one consisting of "values". The chapter ends with a conclusion outlining the specificity of the EU and its institutional system with regard to the sources of its legitimization, which is especially important in the context of the book's main thesis. The fifth chapter concerns the problem of legitimization of the EU institutions in the context of the economic crisis, which the EU member states struggle with since around the year 2008. The sixth chapter, in turn, regards the so called subjective (empirical, social) dimension of the EU institutions' legitimization, that is, the way this problem is perceived by the citizens of the EU member states. It has been based on the results of opinion polls conducted for the use of Eurobarometer, from among which these questions and answers were selected, which could be applied to illustrate the way the EU citizens perceive the Union institutions in the context of their legitimization. The closing remarks include the most important conclusions drawn from the conducted analyses and the potential reforms and modifications of the EU institutional system, which may allow for the reinforcement of its legitimization, primarily in its democratic aspect. The bibliography contains a list of sources which were cited and referred to in the book.

The subject of these reflections on the contemporary international relations is, on the one hand, sovereignty and, on the other, international security, and the analysis of the relationship between the system of collective security and the sovereignty of states in the context of sustainable peace and stability in the world. States have traditionally been tied to the idea of sovereignty. However, among the most characteristic features of the international relations of our time is the growing number of various types of threats originating in states (e.g. Iran, North Korea), in organisations or other entities (e.g. al-Qaeda). Security and sovereignty are two basic concepts most commonly discussed in literature and international legal doctrine. There are two reasons for that: (i) firstly, the main actors in international relations are states which are sovereign entities and the relations or cooperation between them is based on respect for the principle of that sovereignty, and (ii) secondly, the issue of safety is a key issue and a prerequisite for the performance of fully sovereign rights of these countries, necessary to ensure international cooperation and socio-economic development. This paper discusses the need to institutionalise legitimate use of force in global organisations as well as in their regional structures, and to rapidly and effectively manage situations and conflicts intercept to international peace and security. It also draws special attention to the role and place of international organisations in the maintenance of international peace and security both, at universal, and regional level. ; Przedmiotem niniejszych rozważań, dotyczących współczesnych stosunków międzynarodowych są z jednej strony suwerenność, a z drugiej – bezpieczeństwo międzynarodowe oraz analiza związku pomiędzy systemem bezpieczeństwa zbiorowego a suwerennością państw w kontekście utrzymania trwałego pokoju i stabilności na świecie. Państwa są tradycyjnie przywiązane do idei suwerenności, jednakże do najbardziej charakterystycznych cech stosunków międzynarodowych naszych czasów należy narastanie różnego rodzaju zagrożenia, zarówno ze strony państwa (np. Iran, Korea Północna), jak i ze strony innych podmiotów (np. Al-Kaida). Bezpieczeństwo i suwerenność to dwa podstawowe pojęcia w literaturze i doktrynie prawnomiędzynarodowej. Dzieje się tak z dwóch powodów: po pierwsze – głównymi aktorami w stosunkach międzynarodowych są państwa, będące suwerennymi podmiotami, a stosunki czy też współpraca między nimi oparte są w zasadzie na poszanowaniu owej suwerenności; po drugie – kwestia bezpieczeństwa jest podstawowym zagadnieniem i warunkiem niezbędnym do wykonywania w pełni suwerennych praw tychże państw oraz zapewnienia współpracy międzynarodowej i rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego. W artykule tym poruszono również problem konieczności instytucjonalizacji legalnego użycia siły, zarówno w organizacjach ogólnoświatowych, jak i na gruncie struktur regionalnych organizacji międzynarodowych, aby szybko i skutecznie zarządzać sytuacjami i konfliktami zagrażającymi pokojowi i bezpieczeństwu międzynarodowemu. W artykule zwrócono również szczególną uwagę na rolę i miejsce organizacji międzynarodowych w procesie utrzymania pokoju i bezpieczeństwa międzynarodowego, zarówno na poziomie ogólnoświatowym, jak i regionalnym.

Yemen is a country which belongs to the world's poorest regions. Constant civil wars, instability of employment, lack of education and healthcare as well as widespread famine, are only some of the major problems which Yemen struggles with. Due to totalitarian and inefficient rule of the former President Ali Abdall Salli, the political situation worsen leading to so called 'Arab Spring' revolution when the Yemeni society finally said 'no' to the regime. Incompetent political leadership of President Ali Abdullah Saleh as well as his dealings with tribal intricacies created a perfect harbour for al Qaeda creating a sense of destabilizations and fear around the country. Despite of the reigns of newly-elected president , the situation has not improved. Country still remains in a deep economic and social crisis being on verge of another civil war which could be tragic. The main reason for destabilisation in Yemen is growing conflict between Shiite-Huti from the north of the country as well as rapid activation of al Qaeda structures in the Arabian Peninsula in the south. The situation in Yemen shows us how terrorist organizations and other related groups activate in consequence of abolishment of the country's regime and central administration. This kind of situation is not promising for the future of the country. It needs to be said openly that without help from other countries and international organisations, Yemen is unable to cope with the existing situation and it is the only way to save that region which as we know plays a strategic role in the international arena.

The author describes and summarises the main theories relating to the specificity of the European Union structure as an internally complex organism which is being characterised by scientists as an international organisation as well as a confederation and a federation. Many researchers compare the process of the European Union formation to the nation-state formation, others compare the E.U. to the United States of America and many more indicate that the E.U. structure with its specific multi-level governance looks like a neo-medieval empire. What we can see in this empire is a network of overlapping systems of powers and areas of loyalty. The author points out that structurally the E.U. can be visualised as a model of multilevel governance and as such can be defined as a sui generis political system. So it is not analogous to the nation state but rather to a system of governance without a formal governing body. This notion is the result of a growing level of interdependence one can see in theinternational arena. In the second part of article, the author addresses the sovereigntyissues which relate to the E.U. member states as well as the E.U. as a separate body. Hereviews the theories which variously explain the process of European integration and itsinfluence on internal policies within member states. ; Autor przedstawia i podsumowuje główne teorie opisujące specyfikę Unii Europejskiejjako organizmu wewnętrznie złożonego, który ma cechy zarówno organizacji międzynarodowej, konfederacji, jak i federacji. Wielu badaczy porównuje proces tworzenia UE doprocesu powstawania państwa, ale niektórzy porównują Unię do Stanów Zjednoczonych.Jeszcze inni badacze twierdzą, że struktura UE z jej wielopoziomowym systemem rządów przypomina neośredniowieczne imperium. Występują w niej zachodzące na siebiesystemy władzy i obszary lojalności.Autor wskazuje także, że strukturalnie funkcjonowanie UE można zobrazować za pomocą modelu wielopoziomowego zarządzania (multilevel governance). W tym modelu Unię Europejską można uznać za system polityczny sui generis; nie jest więc ona analogiczna do państwa narodowego, lecz traktowana jak system zarządzania bez formalnego rządu. Pojęcie to odnosi się do wzrostu współzależności w sferze ponadnarodowej. W drugiejczęści tekstu autor analizuje problematykę suwerenności państw i samej Unii. Dokonujeprzeglądu stanowisk, które w różny sposób oceniają poziom wpływu, jaki proces europeizacji wywiera na politykę wewnętrzną państw.

Niniejszy artykuł omawia kwestię własności państwowej w sektorze paliwowo- -energetycznym w kontekście bezpieczeństwa energetycznego na przykładzie wybranych krajów. Przedstawiony rys historyczny pokazuje szerszy kontekst procesów prywatyzacyjnych omawianego sektora zarówno na Zachodzie Europy jak i w byłych krajach socjalistycznych. Następnie poddano analizie stopień kontroli właścicielskiej państwa w poszczególnych, wybranych krajach. Szczególnie przeanalizowano relacje pomiędzy narodowymi (państwowymi) a prywatnymi (globalnymi) koncernami sektora paliwowo-energetycznego, a zwłaszcza sektora gazowo-naftowego. W podsumowaniu wskazano na brak jednolitego modelu postępowania w tym zakresie, wynikający z różnych uwarunkowań geopolitycznych i makroekonomicznych prezentowanych państw oraz na wyzwania wobec polskiego rządu, dotyczące wyboru wzorców najbardziej adekwatnych dla sytuacji naszego kraju i wprowadzenia ich w życie. ; The article discusses a relation in between energy security and state ownership of the enterprises active in energy and fuel sector. A history of privatisation efforts carried out both in Western Europe and in post-communist countries is presented to give background for current state of the governmental involvement in the sector. The main part of the article is devoted to individual analysis of selected countries representing various models of ownership policy, among others: USA, UK, Germany and Russia. These analysis are complemented by a chapter discussing the issue of competition between so called National Oil Companies, owned, or at least controlled by governments and Global Oil Companies, public but almost purely privately owned ones. They indicate a variety of ownership models applied or rather developed due to differences in size and structure of natural energy resources, balance of internal supply and demand, military strength, political position, particular model of free market economy in general, membership in key international organisations. All the factors mentioned have lead to a situation in which a total lack of governmental ownership in the sector's corporation can be attributed only to USA and UK. In all other countries analysed states act as important or even dominant shareholders in key energy companies, trying to pursue, in more or less open ways, their policies. Having understood that their results depend very much on the strength and international presence of state controlled corporations governments promote their business development through adoption of the most advanced managerial practices, research in technology and participation in global cooperation with key players in energy and energy related sectors. Therefore they do not exclude neither a partial participation of private investors nor bringing state controlled companies to, even foreign, stock exchanges. But always governments execute control over activities related to energy security and protect these corporations from hostile takeovers. On the other side governments actively support the controlled companies on various fields for example trying to weaken certain EU regulations, negotiating international agreements considering their presence abroad or granting licences for their own natural resources on preferential terms. In conclusion it is stated that no universal "correct" or "European" pattern regarding neither state ownership in energy companies nor using this tool for protecting energy security exists. Therefore Poland has to select solutions most adequate to it's own situation and apply them in the most effective way.

The Impact of Great Powers on the Structure and Competences of the International Humanitarian Organisation the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA)UNRRA – United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, whose achievements are not sufficiently reflected in the historiography of the post-war period, is an interesting object of research for many reasons. In this article, we have attempted to show the mechanisms which great powers resorted to in order to secure a dominant position not just in terms of prerogatives but also administrative structure. The main task of the UNRRA was to offer aid needed for the economic and moral reconstruction of the countries occupied by the Axis. This was a massive challenge in logistical and theoretical terms. An efficiently functioning aid organisation could serve not just peace building on humanitarian foundations but also be a test for the paradigm of the United Nations the founding of which it preceded. And it was for just those reasons that many countries expressed apprehension as to the US dominance visible in the negotiations while realising that humanitarian assistance without taking account of the economic potential of that power would have been doomed to fail.