The basic principles of the political system

An introduction to Polish political system, perforce, does not cover the entirety of the subject matter. It focuses on key problems, important especially for foreign readers, not necessarily well acquainted with complex Polish matters. For the readers' convenience the texts are divided into four parts: (1) historical, political and constitutional background (including an outline of recent history and the bases of constitutional regulation in modern Poland); (2) democratic processes in action (where the role of political parties, elections and the relationship between the government and the opposition are discussed); (3) constitutional institutions (where the key agents of the political system are presented, such as the parliament, the government, the head of state, courts and tribunals); and finally (4) spheres of politics (presenting specific policies, important for the Polish political system, i.e. religious, local, economic and European policies). The content arrangement ensures a relatively broad outlook on the Polish political system, presenting its most important elements and constituting a good introduction to more thorough studies. Introduction: Basics of the functioning of Polish political system (Jarosław Szymanek) Part I. Historical, political and constitutional background 1. An outline of recent political history (Bartłomiej Zdaniuk) 2. The road to a new constitution (Jarosław Szymanek) 3. Characteristics of the Constitution of 1997 (Maria Kruk) 4. The basie principles of the political system (Grzegorz Kuca) Part II. Democratic processes in action 5. Elections and electoral system (Bartłomiej Michalak) 6. Political parties and party system (Bartłomiej Michalak) 7. Political activity of the citizens (Mikołaj Cześnik) 8. Relations between government and opposition (Zbigniew Machelski) 9. System of governance (Jarosław Szymanek) 10. Quality of Polish democracy (Zbigniew Machelski) Part III. Constitutional institutions 11. Institutions of direct democracy (Piotr Uziębło) !2. The legislative power: the Sejm and the Senate (Jarosław Szymanek) 13. The executive power: the President and the Council of Ministers (Michał Bożek) 14. The judicial power: courts and tribunals (Lech Jamróz) 15. Constitutional organs of law control and protection (Krzysztof Prokop) 16. Sources of law and the legislative process (Monika Florczak-Wątor) Part IV. Spheres of politics 17. Religious policy: relationship between state and church (Wojciech Brzozowski) 18. Economic policy: social market economy (Adam Krzywoń) 19. Local policy: local government (Zbigniew Gromek) 20. European policy: Polands participation in the European Union (Aleksandra Kustra)