TYPES OF SOCIETIES AND THE EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES (Typy spoleczenstw a eksploatacja zasobów naturalnych)

The article deals with the history of exploitation of natural resources by man. It highlights the relationship between the type of culture and technology and the level of exploitation of natural environment and its resources. The authors point out that the existing level of exploitation of natural resources is on an unprecedented scale in the history of mankind and management of these problems requires deep transformations and wider civilizational changes towards a balanced society (sustainable development).