Suchergebnisse

Arising with a higher frequency economic crises over the last decades coupled with thedeteriorating situation in the public finances have not always been caused by wrongdecisions taken by the public authorities or their mismanagement. The crises of confidence in financial institutions in numerous countries combined with crises of confidence in the state spur to look for new solutions in the public institutions managementand their relationship with the national and international environment. The concept ofopen government (OGP) fits into this trend. It is, in a sense, a new, although for somecountries only a modernized way of organizing activities and institutions in a state thatuses digital technology and communication tools in order to increase the participationof citizens in governance at all levels and decision-making. In addition, it is assumedthat the knowledge and involvement of citizens can be used to effectively solve problemsboth at central and local levels. In the article the author tries to explicitly point out thatwhile the Open Government Partnership initiative should be assessed positively, it cannotbe regarded as a panacea for contemporary problems in management of the state andcommunication with the public. The mere membership does not guarantee to streamlinethe procedures, mechanisms, institutions and society involvement in public life. Thesespecific actions aimed at increasing transparency, efficiency and cooperation as well asparticipation of citizens are an indicator of change. And these can be undertaken withinthe framework of the Partnership, as well as outside of it.

Arising with a higher frequency economic crises over the last decades coupled with the deteriorating situation in the public finances have not always been caused by wrong decisions taken by the public authorities or their mismanagement. The crises of confidence in financial institutions in numerous countries combined with crises of confidence in the state spur to look for new solutions in the public institutions management and their relationship with the national and international environment. The concept of open government (OGP) fits into this trend. It is, in a sense, a new, although for some countries only a modernized way of organizing activities and institutions in a state that uses digital technology and communication tools in order to increase the participation of citizens in governance at all levels and decision-making. In addition, it is assumed that the knowledge and involvement of citizens can be used to effectively solve problems both at central and local levels. In the article the author tries to explicitly point out that while the Open Government Partnership initiative should be assessed positively, it cannot be regarded as a panacea for contemporary problems in management of the state and communication with the public. The mere membership does not guarantee to streamline the procedures, mechanisms, institutions and society involvement in public life. These specific actions aimed at increasing transparency, efficiency and cooperation as well as participation of citizens are an indicator of change. And these can be undertaken within the framework of the Partnership, as well as outside of it. ; Pojawiające się z coraz większą częstotliwością w ostatnich dziesięcioleciach kryzysy gospodarcze połączone z pogarszającą się sytuacją w sferze finansów publicznych nie zawsze powodowane są błędnymi decyzjami władz publicznych czy ich niegospodarnością. Kryzysy zaufania do instytucji finansowych, połączone w wielu państwach z kryzysami zaufania do państwa, skłaniają do poszukiwania nowych rozwiązań w sferze zarządzania instytucjami publicznymi oraz ich relacji z otoczeniem krajowym i międzynarodowym. W ten nurt wpisuje się koncepcja otwartego rządu (OGP). Jest to w pewnym sensie nowy, choć w wypadku niektórych państw jedynie zmodernizowany, sposób organizacji działań oraz samych instytucji w państwie, wykorzystujący cyfrowe narzędzia technologiczne i komunikacyjne w celu zwiększenia współudziału obywateli w rządzeniu na wszystkich szczeblach sprawowania władzy i podejmowania decyzji. Ponadto zakłada się, że wiedza i zaangażowanie obywateli mogą posłużyć do skuteczniejszego rozwiązywania problemów zarówno na szczeblu centralnym, jak i lokalnym. W artykule Autorka stara się wyraźnie podkreślić, że o ile sama inicjatywa Partnerstwa Otwartego Rządu powinna być oceniana pozytywnie, to nie można jej traktować jako panaceum na współczesne problemy w zarządzaniu państwem i komunikacji ze społeczeństwem. Samo członkostwo nie stanowi gwarancji usprawnienia procedur, mechanizmów i instytucji oraz zaangażowania społeczeństwa w życie publiczne. To konkretne działania ukierunkowane na wzrost przejrzystości, efektywności oraz współpracy i partycypacji obywateli stanowią wyznacznik zmian. A te mogą być podejmowane w ramach Partnerstwa, jak również poza nim.

Arising with a higher frequency economic crises over the last decades coupled with the deteriorating situation in the public finances have not always been caused by wrong decisions taken by the public authorities or their mismanagement. The crises of confidence in financial institutions in numerous countries combined with crises of confidence in the state spur to look for new solutions in the public institutions management and their relationship with the national and international environment. The concept of open government (OGP) fits into this trend. It is, in a sense, a new, although for some countries only a modernized way of organizing activities and institutions in a state that uses digital technology and communication tools in order to increase the participation of citizens in governance at all levels and decision-making. In addition, it is assumed that the knowledge and involvement of citizens can be used to effectively solve problems both at central and local levels. In the article the author tries to explicitly point out that while the Open Government Partnership initiative should be assessed positively, it cannot be regarded as a panacea for contemporary problems in management of the state and communication with the public. The mere membership does not guarantee to streamline the procedures, mechanisms, institutions and society involvement in public life. These specific actions aimed at increasing transparency, efficiency and cooperation as well as participation of citizens are an indicator of change. And these can be undertaken within the framework of the Partnership, as well as outside of it.

The international position of a currency is directly determined by the scale and manner of fulfilment of classic currency functions in the international context. Creation of the Economic and Monetary Union and the introduction of a new currency (euro) – even though the decision was strictly political – was well-received by entities of contemporary international economy, including its main participants and the players on the international currency market. The reason for such a reception was the potential of the economies in the euro area, and also structural conditions and expectations for creation of an international currency that was to be a real alternative to the US dollar. The possibility of diversification in the investment and reserve spheres as well as in reference, intervention, transfer and invoicing spheres was considered as a step in the right direction to limiting the domination of the US dollar on the market. Notwithstanding the increasing problems in euro area in the fiscal sphere and the real economy, particularly with the job market, one may agree that the latest economic crisis did not change the bipolar character of the international monetary system still based on the US dollar and the euro. However, it needs to be stressed that the euro remains rather a regional than a global currency.

The international position of a currency is directly determined by the scale and manner of fulfilment of classic currency functions in the international context. Creation of the Economic and Monetary Union and the introduction of a new currency (euro) – even though the decision was strictly political – was well-received by entities of contemporary international economy, including its main participants and the players on the international currency market. The reason for such a reception was the potential of the economies in the euro area, and also structural conditions and expectations for creation of an international currency that was to be a real alternative to the US dollar. The possibility of diversification in the investment and reserve spheres as well as in reference, intervention, transfer and invoicing spheres was considered as a step in the right direction to limiting the domination of the US dollar on the market. Notwithstanding the increasing problems in euro area in the fiscal sphere and the real economy, particularly with the job market, one may agree that the latest economic crisis did not change the bipolar character of the international monetary system still based on the US dollar and the euro. However, it needs to be stressed that the euro remains rather a regional than a global currency.

Public debt and the increasing indebtedness of states is not a new phenomenon even in the context of bankruptcy of state. In the past we have already experienced internal and external state insolvency. What causes today's increase in preoccupation with external bankruptcy, except for global dimension of debt, is a change in its structure. An increasing number of states uses foreign debt to finance budget and trade imbalances. This tendency is observed among developing as well as developed states, including Economic and Monetary Union member states. The increase in external debt is in large part caused by privet debt which in certain circumstances is transferred to state. The level of total external debt of many Euro Zone member states in relation to GDP is much higher than the level of public debt. These are the reasons that justify the fear for the future of Euro Zone after bankruptcy of some of the member states. What increases the level of fear is the fact that the actions undertaken by European Union and EMU do not cause expected results and therefore cannot be judged positively. Paradoxically, some of them have only political and PR dimensions. Politicians may brag about their resolve to defend the once adopted solutions and markets may remain in their illusion that the present situation is only temporary. How long will it last? Last actions seem to be just a game designed to gain some more time to prepare different solutions such as fundamental and subjective restructuring of Euro Zone and – who knows? – maybe even of the European integration as such. The words of European Central Bank president Mario Draghi (August 2, 2012) stressing the fact that there's no turning back from the Euro and that he is going to defend the common currency need to be understood in that context. The belief in the solidarity of states and optimistic outlook for the future should not result in such dramatic and desperate words.

The 2007+ financial crisis and the depression in real sphere of many economies important for the world economy has led to many initiatives directed against the negative effects of the crisis. The state and its institutions played the most important role in anti-crisis actions. At the beginning states concentrated on fiscal and monetary policy measures aiming to help national economic subjects. In other words, the challenges of early 21st century changed common opinion on the position and the importance of the modern state. Quickly, however, it has become clear that such help is not sufficient. The advanced level of international cooperation and interdependence between micro- and macroeconomic subjects have led to the situation in which single states could not take effective action against crisis phenomena that were not only initiated in their economies but also imported. In such conditions we can observe the emergence of new international initiatives such as G20, Financial Stability Council, the new European Financial Supervision System or European instruments for financial stability, including the fiscal pact, which was preliminary agreed on during the December summit of the European Council. All those actions are, unfortunately, designed as short-term and emergency measures. They do not aim for longer time frame. There is no debate on doctrinal foundations of the contemporary global economy. The actions described in this text also fi t into that pattern, as they are only an attempt at addressing the problems and not an initiative which has pre-dated the contemporary crisis phenomena.

The purpose of this article is to analyse the legal regulations concerning the governing bodies of the parliaments in Norway and Denmark, as well as selected elements of the system practice related to their functioning in the last several years. A comparative study of the aforementioned institutions in both parliaments makes it possible to identify similar elements, as well as to point out existing differences, especially in the system practice. One common feature is the axiology underpinning the activities of the governing bodies and the resulting high political culture characterising the deputies in charge in the Storting and the Folketing. The analyses made are based on the assumptions and categories of neo-institutional methodology in political science. The main thesis of the article is that the high efficiency and professionalism of both parliaments, as determined by objective indicators, is the result of a consensual and pragmatic attitude of those elected to leadership positions and proposed by the party groups. This attitude is fostered by the widespread occurrence of minority parliamentarism in political practice in both states.

The aim of the article is to analyse the assumptions and results of the reform of the basic territorial division of the state carried out in Norway in 2016–2020, creating a new structure of municipal and regional self-government with a simultaneous change in some of the tasks carried out at both levels. The analysis is based on the assumptions and categories of neo-institutional methodology. The main thesis of the article is contained in the statement that the process of structural consolidation of local government units is theoretically and practically inevitable, because it is carried out in order to optimise the implementation of public services and increase the welfare of local communities. Its pragmatic and efficient execution with the participation of local communities is necessary to follow the contemporary stage of socio-economic and political development.

The authors analyze the essence of the problem of financialization of economy in the national and global perspectives, at the same time pointing out that this process also refers to the sphere of politics. The example of the 2007+ financial and banking crisis indicates the negative features of this process in reference to economy but also to the financial security of the states and their citizens. In the sphere of politics financialization in the external aspect is reflected in transferring public funds to private economic entities, mainly financial corporations, by virtue of political decisions. In the internal aspects financialization means an increasing role of financial instruments and resources in establishing public authorities, including parliaments and presidential offices. This tendency is considered by the authors to be an immanent feature of contemporary capitalism and a threat to democracy.

The authors have undertaken an analysis of the phenomenon of debt of local government units in Poland. It is a dynamic phenomenon, which affects vast majority of municipalities and districts. A barrier to debt expansion has been established in the form of the Individual Debt Index (IOI), which has been in place since 2014 and its new elements entered into force on 1 January 2020. The structure of the index is intended to allow regional accounting chambers (RIO) to control the process and prevent its progression. The authors indicate, however, that the main problem for local self-government units is insufficient own income, which forces them to increase the pool of funds transferred from the central budget to self-governments in the form of grants and subventions and to look for various forms of loans for their activities. Using the experience of the Scandinavian countries, the authors propose to start territorial and resource consolidation reforms of small local government units – municipalities and districts. The aim is to facilitate better use of endogenous resources of territorial self-government units and use of economies of scale related to local economy and social resources. This should result, as in Scandinavia, in the development of public entrepreneurship, higher social efficiency and effectiveness, and stabilisation of the income of individual units. After more than 20 years of operation, small local government units in Poland have become structurally and functionally obsolete and do not guarantee modern development of local communities.

The authors have undertaken an analysis of the phenomenon of debt of local government units in Poland. It is a dynamic phenomenon, which affects vast majority of municipalities and districts. A barrier to debt expansion has been established in the form of the Individual Debt Index (IOI), which has been in place since 2014 and its new elements entered into force on 1 January 2020. The structure of the index is intended to allow regional accounting chambers (RIO) to control the process and prevent its progression. The authors indicate, however, that the main problem for local self-government units is insufficient own income, which forces them to increase the pool of funds transferred from the central budget to self-governments in the form of grants and subventions and to look for various forms of loans for their activities. Using the experience of the Scandinavian countries, the authors propose to start territorial and resource consolidation reforms of small local government units – municipalities and districts. The aim is to facilitate better use of endogenous resources of territorial self-government units and use of economies of scale related to local economy and social resources. This should result, as in Scandinavia, in the development of public entrepreneurship, higher social efficiency and effectiveness, and stabilisation of the income of individual units. After more than 20 years of operation, small local government units in Poland have become structurally and functionally obsolete and do not guarantee modern development of local communities. ; Autorzy podjęli się analizy zjawiska zadłużenia jednostek samorządu terytorialnego w Polsce. Jest to zjawisko dynamiczne, które dotyczy zdecydowanej większości gmin i powiatów. Barierę dla ekspansji zadłużenia stanowi istniejący od 2014 roku Indeks Długu Indywidualnego (IOI), którego nowe elementy weszły w życie 1 stycznia 2020 roku. Struktura indeksu ma na celu umożliwienie regionalnym izbom rachunkowym (RIO) kontrolowania tego procesu i zapobiegania jego postępowi. Autorzy wskazują jednak, że głównym problemem dla jednostek samorządu terytorialnego są niewystarczające dochody własne, co zmusza je do zwiększenia puli środków przekazywanych z budżetu centralnego do samorządów w formie dotacji i subwencji oraz do poszukiwania różnych form pożyczek na swoją działalność. Korzystając z doświadczeń krajów skandynawskich, autorzy proponują rozpoczęcie reform terytorialnych i konsolidacyjnych zasobów małych jednostek samorządu terytorialnego – gmin i powiatów. Celem jest ułatwienie lepszego wykorzystania endogenicznych zasobów JST oraz wykorzystanie korzyści skali związanych z lokalną gospodarką i zasobami społecznymi. Powinno to zaowocować, podobnie jak w Skandynawii, rozwojem przedsiębiorczości publicznej, większą efektywnością i skutecznością społeczną oraz stabilizacją dochodów poszczególnych jednostek. Po ponad 20 latach działalności małe jednostki samorządu terytorialnego w Polsce stały się strukturalnie i funkcjonalnie przestarzałe i nie gwarantują nowoczesnego rozwoju społeczności lokalnych.

The authors have undertaken an analysis of the phenomenon of debt of local government units in Poland. It is a dynamic phenomenon, which affects vast majority of municipalities and districts. A barrier to debt expansion has been established in the form of the Individual Debt Index (IOI), which has been in place since 2014 and its new elements entered into force on 1 January 2020. The structure of the index is intended to allow regional accounting chambers (RIO) to control the process and prevent its progression. The authors indicate, however, that the main problem for local self-government units is insufficient own income, which forces them to increase the pool of funds transferred from the central budget to self-governments in the form of grants and subventions and to look for various forms of loans for their activities. Using the experience of the Scandinavian countries, the authors propose to start territorial and resource consolidation reforms of small local government units – municipalities and districts. The aim is to facilitate better use of endogenous resources of territorial self-government units and use of economies of scale related to local economy and social resources. This should result, as in Scandinavia, in the development of public entrepreneurship, higher social efficiency and effectiveness, and stabilisation of the income of individual units. After more than 20 years of operation, small local government units in Poland have become structurally and functionally obsolete and do not guarantee modern development of local communities. ; Autorzy podjęli się analizy zjawiska zadłużenia jednostek samorządu terytorialnego w Polsce. Jest to zjawisko dynamiczne, które dotyczy zdecydowanej większości gmin i powiatów. Barierę dla ekspansji zadłużenia stanowi istniejący od 2014 roku Indeks Długu Indywidualnego (IOI), którego nowe elementy weszły w życie 1 stycznia 2020 roku. Struktura indeksu ma na celu umożliwienie regionalnym izbom rachunkowym (RIO) kontrolowania tego procesu i zapobiegania jego postępowi. Autorzy wskazują jednak, że głównym problemem dla jednostek samorządu terytorialnego są niewystarczające dochody własne, co zmusza je do zwiększenia puli środków przekazywanych z budżetu centralnego do samorządów w formie dotacji i subwencji oraz do poszukiwania różnych form pożyczek na swoją działalność. Korzystając z doświadczeń krajów skandynawskich, autorzy proponują rozpoczęcie reform terytorialnych i konsolidacyjnych zasobów małych jednostek samorządu terytorialnego – gmin i powiatów. Celem jest ułatwienie lepszego wykorzystania endogenicznych zasobów JST oraz wykorzystanie korzyści skali związanych z lokalną gospodarką i zasobami społecznymi. Powinno to zaowocować, podobnie jak w Skandynawii, rozwojem przedsiębiorczości publicznej, większą efektywnością i skutecznością społeczną oraz stabilizacją dochodów poszczególnych jednostek. Po ponad 20 latach działalności małe jednostki samorządu terytorialnego w Polsce stały się strukturalnie i funkcjonalnie przestarzałe i nie gwarantują nowoczesnego rozwoju społeczności lokalnych.

The authors aimed to examine the phenomenon of indebtedness on the part of the local self-government units in Poland. The situation is evolving, and as such it pertains to an overwhelming majority of municipalities and counties. The barrier to increased indebtedness was established in the form of a unit-specific debt indicator, which came into force in 2014, and the amendments came into existence on the 1st of January, 2020. The composition of the indicator aims to allow the Regional Chambers of Auditors to monitor the proceedings and prevent continued deterioration. However, the authors indicate that the crux of the issue that the local self-government units face is the insufficient revenue they generate, which calls for an increased allocation of central budgetary funds to the local self-government units in the form of grants and subsidies as well as the designing of numerous ways to finance their operations. Drawing upon the experiences gained by other states, the authors postulate the launch of the territorial and resource-based consolidation reforms on the part of the lower local self-government units – municipalities. This is believed to enhance a more effective leveraging of the endogenous resources on the part of the local self-government units, maximising the economies of scale that pertain to the local economy as well as societal resources. The lower local self-government units in Poland were established over 20 years ago. Since the establishment, the units have come to represent the entities that are ineffective in a structural and functional manner. Furthermore, they fail to ensure the modern development path of local communities. The examination that has been conducted validates the need for reforms and it portrays the currents behind.