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The article addresses the problem of restoring industrial functions policy in the cities of developed capitalism. Since the 1970s of the 20th century change from the Fordist to the post-Fordist mode of production, globalisation and new international labor division have resulted in a de-industrialisation process that occurred in the cities of developed countries. Industrial decline caused a numerous crisis of urban areas. Overcoming this crisis should be considered as a process in which local economic systems adapt to challenges of global competition on the international market of locations. Facing these challenges leads to the development of new forms of economic organisation that are characteristic of cognitive-cultural capitalism with its paradigm of flexible accumulation and competitive advantage through creativity and innovation. In this context re-industrialisation and neo-industrialisation become the key elements in the strategies for urban development. The article discusses the ideological aspects of the industrialisation policy. Particular attention is paid to the question of “clustering policy” as a tool for stimulating economic growth. Particular negative consequences of industrial development policy are also presented.
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In reflection summary it can be stated that social policy is both a possibility and a barrier in the development of a new corporate culture-civilization, referred to as globalization. Main forces shaping the new global reality, and the face of social policy are: technical and scientific progress, international laws and education focused on raising awareness of global change. Quick pace of civilization reveals an inability to adapt to a wide range of society the realities of the world of IT and information, and consequently the phenomenon of exclusion and widening of social pathologies. The image shaping social policy sets out the special role of participatory unit. The implementation of the project of European integration reveals a large gap between the assumptions and practice of social life. Standards of social policy remain in the realm of vision, a declaration of hope, the boundaries between the real world and virtual information and disinformation and manipulation. An important role in this regard play the media, which in its action shall submit to the effectiveness of the delivering authentic information about contemporary social realities and social policy pursued in its various structural dimensions.
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Based on analysis of the research material shown Council of Ministers actions for the implementation of the project for the construction of the LNG terminal. The purpose of the article was to obtain answers to the following research questions: What are the reasons of delaying the opening of the LNG terminal in Świnoujście? In what extent the activities of the gas terminal in Świnoujście enhance the Polish energy security? After the analysis, it was found that there are several reasons for not giving to use LNG terminal in Świnoujście. One of them was and is the lack of involvement of the Polish government in this investment. Poland is still dependent on Russian natural gas. Activity of LNG terminal in Świnoujście would increase gas safety of Poland and limit its dependence on the Russian Federation.
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While many Central Europeans mourn the Leave victory in the UK’s referendum, the region’s leaders say the vote should push the EU to revamp its policies – and quickly.
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Among all the Eastern European countries that joined the EU after 2000, Romania delayed for several years the economic reforms in order to ensure the transition to free market economy. 25 years after the fall of communism, most of the components of free market are not yet entirely developed: the full restitution of private property is not completed; national capital is still underdeveloped and is strongly dependent on Western European capitals; the lack of loyal competition is almost generalised; most of the gross value added derives from the activities of foreign investors and from a weak agricultural production; foreign trade structure is highly vulnerable to external shocks, while exports are less diversified, both as main branches and orientation to foreign markets; the demographic structure and the low employment rate generate major imbalances in public finances and pensions system. In this context, this paper aims to demonstrate that the transition of Romania to free market economy has not yet been finished, that the 90s economic policies caused a brutal imbalance of the industrial structure and that in the absence of a strong national capital, the domestic production is vulnerable and on the hands of foreign investors who took command of what and how to produce … The paper also aims to demystify the intuitive idea that a state company is a priori an inefficient and uncompetitive one and should be automatically privatized. We wish to draw up some recommendations in order to improve the management of companies still held by the Romanian state.
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The aim of the paper is to discusses the role, functioning and rationale behind General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR), i.e. a specific legal instrument which is often employed by authorities to combat unacceptable tax avoidance practices. The author argues that although there are still some doubts concerning the way such rules are designed (usage of broad definitions which give the tax authorities a large margin of discretion when making decisions), it appears that the implementation of GAAR in national tax systems creates more legal certainty and serves as a proper tool against tax avoidance.
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This article aims to prove that the institutional order in a broad sense is essential for the success of transformation processes of post-socialist economies, especially for achieving positive social outcomes which contribute to the development of human capital. The analysis was conducted on the basis of an original model of the transformation process established by the author, using some examples of indica-tors illustrating the changes. The theoretical model assumptions were verified through a comparative study carried out for the group of countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which transformed their economic systems from central planning to market economy. Within the indicator analysis there have been included statistical data and indicators developed by several international institutions. It has been proved that there is no correlation between the technical, economic and social effects of transformation. The process of technical and infrastructure modernization often precedes positive effects in the econom-ic and social spheres. This is mainly due to the high level of investment in infrastructure, often financed from external resources (e.g. the European Union). In addition, societies of the post-socialist countries evaluate the processes occurring in the economy in a specific way (sometimes surprising). The percep-tion of “happiness” is not directly dependent on “hard” indicators reflecting the current condition of the economy. However, the transformation model presented in this article assumes that social factors have a significant influence on the dynamics of institutional changes therefore it can be expected that in countries where people positively assess the prosperity of the country, the dynamics of further develop-ment can exceed the countries with low levels of social satisfaction.
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As the title suggests, this article characterizes the systemic transformation of the Polish economy from the perspective of the institutional diversity of capitalism (i.e., Varieties of Capitalism). It synthetically presents the main objectives of the transformation, the most commonly discussed typologies of capitalism, and their application in Poland and the European post-communist countries. In this theoretical context the Polish economy is examined using a variety of criteria and typologies of capitalism (liberal, coordination, dependent, hybrid etc.). The article also lists the cognitive strengths and limitations of such a perspective analysis of the emerging economic model in Poland and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
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The global economic crisis has contributed to the intensification of sociological and public debates on the limits of the free market, which poses anew the problem of alternatives to the neoliberal model of capitalism. However, in the case of Poland, these discussions have been much weaker and focused more on the cultural than the socio-economic dimension. This article examines the consequences of the global economic crisis through the lens of selected socio-economic changes in Poland. Its empirical basis is the author’s research on working-class milieus in Poland during the period 2002–2004, and his research on employment relations and trade union strategies during the period 2009–2012. It is argued that transformations in the sphere of work, such as the expansion of non-standard forms of employment, have mobilized potential debates on the ideas and discourses that question the ideas of self-regulating markets. Simultaneously, however, it is suggested that the deregulation of employment relations in Poland contributes to a situation whereby a “disenchantment of the market” does not lead to a collective mobilization in the workplace, but rather beyond it in the public sphere, using local resources of cultural resistance.
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This article refers to the contemporary situation in the Russian economy and in the Russian capital economy. Economy in Russia is based on the extraction of raw materials. However, in 2010 economic forecasts for the country were optimistic. In this period economic development was strong and the country became a member of the BRICS group. One of the issues of the Russian Federation economy was the backing of the old system. Most investments were focused on the energy sector when in the public sector the changes were smaller. To increase revenues and funds big reforms are necessary and new investments. One possibility to improve the economic situation is to focus on greater extraction of raw materials. Another option is to resign from a monocultural economy. The situation in Moscow is better than the general economic situation in the Russian Federation. GDP increased regularly. In 2008 Russia took 15t place in the ranking of the hundred largest cities GDP. The Moscow economy is based especially on the trade of energy resources. Moreover, profit is gained from business activities and industry. The level of unemployment in Moscow is the lowest in comparison to all regions. In the capital city it fluctuates between 0,5% and 1%. A major problem in the capital city is the constant immigration from other part of the Federation and other foreign countries. In majority, people who come to Moscow are the job seekers. Also the significant problem is ubiquitous corruption.
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Purpose: To analyse the issue of public debt in Poland and examine its effect on other areas of socio-economic life as well as government policy. Approach: The question of public debt is placed in its historical context by looking at how it grew during the Communist system and influenced the transition period. The article draws on a range of secondary economic statistics and considers in detail a number of public policy issues, such as the reform of the pension system. Findings: One result of the large debt incurred by the end of the 1970s was that Poland became indebted to creditors in the West. This dependency helped to shape its economic policy at the end of the 1980s. The transition to a market economy placed new burdens on the country’s public services, primarily due to the resulting large deactivation of labour. Furthermore, the creation of a compulsory private pension system at the end of the 1990s diverted significant funds out of the government’s budget and swelled the country’s public debt. Since the outbreak of the economic crisis, Poland has avoided a recession by increasing public investment by utilising available European Union funds. However, due to internal and external limits on the size of its public debt, the government is being pressured to reduce this spending. In order to create more fiscal room, the government has partly dismantled the compulsory private pension system as a short-term solution to the growing debt crisis. Value: In the wake of the global financial crisis and economic turmoil in the European Union, the matter of public debt has taken on increased importance. This paper considers this question from a long-term perspective in a country that has been relatively successful during the international economic downturn. By examining public debt from this broad perspective, we can better understand the economic situation in Poland and the European Union, whilst also shedding light on some of the surrounding academic perspectives and public policy debates.
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Celem artykułu jest zaprezentowanie problemów w dostępie do finansowania publicznego, z jakimi borykają się podmioty ekonomii społecznej. Artykuł opiera się na analizie literatury przedmiotu oraz materiałów źródłowych, w tym aktów prawnych. Skrótowo przedstawiono w nim polskie uregulowania prawne dotyczące możliwości wsparcia organizacji pozarządowych przez samorząd gminny i powiatowy, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem podmiotów ekonomii społecznej. Wyniki analizy skłaniają do postawienia tezy, że w obecnej sytuacji zbyt często forma świadczenia usług publicznych wpływa na możliwości skorzystania z pomocy publicznej. Aktualne rozwiązania utrudniają sektorowi ekonomii społecznej dostęp do publicznego finansowania. W artykule zaprezentowano zarówno legislacyjne, jak i edukacyjno-wdrożeniowe rozwiązania, stanowiące propozycje eliminacji istniejących problemów.
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W ramach artykułu autor przedstawia jeden z dwóch największych programów opartych na warunkowych transferach pieniężnych na świecie – Bolsa Familia w Brazylii (BF). Program ten dociera aktualnie do blisko 13 mln gospodarstw domowych, tj. 22,7% ogółu gospodarstw domowych w Brazylii. Jak wskazują badania, jest on skutecznym narzędziem redukcji biedy oraz zmniejszania nierówności społecznych na terenie kraju. W ramach programu rząd Brazylii realizuje cele związane z edukacją, zdrowiem oraz tworzeniem kapitału ludzkiego przyszłych pokoleń. Artykuł przedstawia strukturę, mechanizmy działania i zasady programu BF w szerszym kontekście programów społecznych realizowanych przez Brazylię w ramach priorytetu władz kraju – osiągnięcia Milenijnego Celu Rozwoju ONZ nr 1, czyli eliminacji głodu oraz skrajnego ubóstwa na terenie całego kraju do 2015 r.
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Artykuł traktuje o planowanych kierunkach wsparcia rozwoju ekonomii społecznej, w aspekcie strategicznym, prawnym, finansowym i edukacyjnym, które znajdą odzwierciedlenie m.in. w wybranych zintegrowanych strategiach rozwoju kraju, projekcie Krajowego Programu Rozwoju Ekonomii Społecznej, projekcie ustawy o przedsiębiorstwie i przedsiębiorczości społecznej. Stanowi także przegląd aktualnie podejmowanych działań w tym obszarze, w tym prac Zespołu ds. rozwiązań systemowych w zakresie ekonomii społecznej, wdrożenia pilotażu funduszu pożyczkowego dla przedsiębiorstw społecznych, budowania infrastruktury wsparcia podmiotów ekonomii społecznej, m.in. poprzez wdrożenie Systemu akredytacji i standardów działania instytucji wsparcia ekonomii społecznej AKSES, kreowania „marki” ekonomii społecznej.
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Optimal currency area theory is the supporting knowledge base of the European euro area. However, the euro area does not work seamlessly, and many doubts have arisen in regard to the theoretical foundations of the project and the procedures used to implement it. In particular, the accession of new members remains doubtful. This paper develops a diagnosis and proposes modifications to the theoretical foundations of the optimal currency area in line with recent developments in economic thinking. This progress is focused on the application of a triad of abstract notions – capital, labour, and money – and the use of essential notions, among which labour self-financing is the most significant. The analysis leads to an integrative as opposed to a discriminative currency area. Another aim of this paper is to show how to reshape the existing discriminative euro area as an area involving states that do not fulfill the Maastricht criteria. An integrative area can involve states with different productivity levels, allowing the fixed exchange rate criterion to be withdrawn. In addition, the application of self-financing removes the problem of dominant public debt. A major part of this paper develops a measure of labour productivity and applies it to procedures involving the use of exchange rates.
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Over recent periods, especially in the last two decades, Africa has recorded growth and received inflows of both direct and indirect forms of foreign investment. This is due to ongoing globalisation and to the redistribution or allocation of capital and wealth among nations with the idea of competing on a global scale. Many countries, particularly sub-Saharan African countries, have seen this trend as part and parcel of their long term development plan and growth agenda ever since China became a development partner for most of these countries. In this paper, the Investment Development Path (IDP) theory introduced by Dunning in 1981 is used to examine the basis of the Chinese Investment model. The author sheds light on Chinese investment in Ghana after 2008 and the performance of these investments. In order to examine the possible positive impacts and prospects of foreign direct investment in Sub-Saharan African countries, the author considers the significant role of Asian investment, especially that of the People’s Republic of China and its strategic dominance of investment on the continent. The last section of the article briefly examines the specifics of Chinese investment in Ghana. Finally, the author presents a summary and some policy recommendations.
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China emphasises the principle of maintaining a balance between population, resources and the environment, promoting economic, social, and environmental development. Therefore, it should initiate a revolution in areas related to the production and use of energy by promoting energy-efficient and low-carbon development industry as well as new and renewable sources of energy in building the country’s energy security. This study focuses on the implementation of energy-saving policies in China.
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Transformation of the ownership structure of state-owned companies was one ofthe key principles of the political transformation in Poland. The way the changes wereimplemented depended on the motivation of successive Polish governments, the executive management of companies concerned, trade unions and most of all on the economic situation of respective companies.The aim of the paper was to present the policies of the Council of Ministers ofthe Republic of Poland in terms of ownership transformations of Morska StoczniaRemontowa Gryfia SA between 1989 and 2015. Based on the analysis of research data, the determinant institutional-legal factors of the process were presented.The main objectives were to seek answers to the following questions: What decisions were made by the Polish government about ownership transformations of MorskaStocznia Remontowa Gryfia SA? and What were the effects ofthe policies implemented by the management of the shipyard in terms of its ownership transformations? Accordingly, analysis was conducted on the effect of decisions made by the Minister of Privatization (and then by the Minister of Treasury) on the course of ownership transformations of Morska Stocznia Remontowa Gryfia SA Furthermore, the cooperation between the management of Morska Stocznia Remontowa Gryfia SA, trade unions and the founding body of the shipyard was presented. An important aspect in the analysis of ownership transformations of Morska Stocznia Remontowa Gryfia SA was to identify the trends of restructurization of the shipyard in order to improve its difficult financial situation and toenable its privatization.
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Analyzing EU-Russia relations one may find significant difference regarding the energy security definition. From the Russian perspective this concept is defined mainly through the technical prism focusing on stable and secure supply. In turn, many European researchers add economic and environmental dimensions of this concept underlying the role of competitive market and interrelations with climate issue. In this paper author tries to reduce a difference between these two positions. He aims at elaborating broad definition of the energy security which should help for better analysis EU-Russia energy relations. He states that existing definition based on three abovementioned elements like security of supply, free market, and sustainable development, is incomplete and should therefore be extended by the fourth component, so called social and political agreement.
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