POLAND

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ] [ Part 4 ] [ Part 5 ] [ Part 6 ] [ Part 7 ] [ Part 8 ] [ Part 9 ] [ Annexes ]

THE EUROPEAN AND COMPARATIVE DIMENSION

Before 1989, European public administration, comparative or other, was almost an inexistent theme in Polish administrative studies. At that time, Poland was under Russian protection, and there was no possibility of changing this situation. The Soviet Union still existed, and it seemed that Poland would never become a member of Europe.

The situation changed completely in 1989. Poland gained her “independence” and became open to Western Europe. Some academic departments started reacting slowly by including certain European courses in their curricula, at least as, subthemes.

Over the last ten years can be regarded as a very dynamic in development of public administration education. It is a transformation period, which is taking place in Poland, and in Europe. Development of comparative public administration continues to grow and adapt to changes in the current European environment. Before 1989, the teaching of the contemporary polish public administration system was rarely compared to systems functioning in the countries of Western Europe. Just after 1998, courses were introduced into educational programs of administration faculties which compared Western European systems to political, economic and legal.

Almost all of today’s courses on European topics in the Polish administrative studies have been developed during the past decade.

Currently, not only political systems, are being compared. Development of educational programs has gone into details looking at analysis and comparison of contemporary central administration and its local agencies, local governments, their structures and basics. Specifically, issues which look at administrative personnel, social care, public service of healthcare system etc.

Conversely, a detailed system of public administration in Poland cannot be lectured separately from the systems of Europe. A political and administrative model of United Europe is constructed by analyzing and comparing each European country entirely and then choosing the most effective solutions.

Gaining membership in the European Union is of great importance for Poland. It has already fundamentally changed Poland’s geopolitical situation and her political orientation. Polish public administration will internationalize rapidly towards European direction for both the national and local levels. Membership will open the way for a direct transfer of innovations from the other member states to the Polish public sector through comparisons, imitation and testing of the applicability of other European countries’ solutions. All these facts result in a natural strong demand towards education and training in European matters.

A. Universities – Faculty of PA

In 1998/1999, the main courses offered that focus on European or comparative European Public Administration dimension at the universities faculties of Law and Public Administration are:

Administration of Western Europe countries (University of Poznan), International Co-operation at the Regional Level (University of Poznan), Social Policy in Poland and EU (University of Poznan), Economic Integration in EU (University of Wroclaw).

1. Identification of selected courses with a comparative European Public Administration dimension

Administration of Western Europe Countries

The objective of this course is the public administration structure, system and the decision-making process in different Western Europe countries (Germany, France, Great Britain). Particular focus is granted to the central administration and the local government structures, obligations and responsibility, actors, influences, domestic as well as international. A comparative approach is introduced as an explanation of differences and similarities between the EU administrative systems and their viewpoints on the European integration process.

Social Policy in Poland and EU

The purpose is to introduce the students to the decision-making process surrounding the social dimension. The course focus on the political and law grounds for the welfare state development. Particular attention is drawn to the consequences of the EU regulation for Poland.

Economic Integration in EU

The objective is to introduce the economic problems attached to different co-operation in the European Union. A range of economic-political policy issues of the EU is shown, and the question of EU’s enlargement to the East is analyzed. A comparative approach is analyzed as the consequences of the European economic integration on the member states.

All courses mentioned above are defined as regular. “Regular” is defined as a course which at the beginning of studying is lectured as a comparative to other systems. This course develops general knowledge as an introduction to other courses. Comparison with regulations, which are lectured in the other countries, gives students possibility of wider view at framework of the subject. After all, it helps to notice differences in each country. Each subsequent academic year the course is continued and developed by introducing new details. It is important to emphasize that changes are being introduced almost every semester.

All of these courses are offered once a year and their duration is a semester. Within the Comparative European Public Administration concentration area, their importance is the same. All of these are objects of examination are for students who choose public administration studies in the Law and Public Administration Faculties. In reporters opinion, comparative aspects do play a major role as a methodological approach in these courses, but the governance-aspect is the most important among others (economic, culture, historical, etc.). The courses concentrate on Comparative Public Administration in a narrowly defined sense.

B. Universities – Faculty of Political Sciences

In 1998/1999 the main courses with a European or comparative European Public Administration concentration at the universities Political Sciences Faculties are: Political Geography, National Minorities in Europe, Theory of International Relations, Contemporary Political Systems, Local Government in Europe and USA, International Political Relations, Comparative Public Administration.

1. Identification of selected courses with a comparative European Public Administration dimension

Comparative Public Administration

Comparative aspect especially political international relations do play the most important role (among governance aspect or historical one). The objective of this course is the public administration structure, system, public officials and the decision-making process in different countries (American and European both). Particular focus is granted to the central administration and the local government structures, obligations and responsibility, actors, influences, domestic as well as international. A comparative approach is introduced as an explanation of differences and similarities between administrative systems.

Contemporary Political Systems

The purpose of the course is to introduce the students and analyze the political systems in EU countries. First political systems will be introduced in general terms, than particular focus will be centered on the institutions and the political influence on the national administrations will be drawn.

C. Private (non-public) schools – Faculty of PA

In 1998/1999 the main courses with a European or comparative European Public Administration dimension at the non-public schools in Faculties of Public Administration are:

Judging the conflicts in EU (School of Foreign Languages and Economics, Czestochowa), Judging the International Conflicts (School of Business Administration, Warsaw), European Policy on Social and Economic Issues (L. Kozminski School of Business and Management, Warsaw), European Integration Process (School of Public Administration, Szczecin), Contemporary Models of Public Administration (School of Public Administration, Bialystok),

Local Government and Administration in EU Countries (School of Foreign Languages and Economics, Czestochowa), Experiences of EU Countries in Integration Process (School of Business Administration, Warsaw), International Organizations and International Co-operating (Kozminski School of Business and Management, Warsaw), European Community and Regional Organizations (School of Business Administration, Warsaw), Integration of European Economy (School of Business Administration, Warsaw), Polish and EU Agriculture Policy (Humanistic School, Pultusk), Personnel’s Training for Needs of Poland with EU Integration (School of Business Administration, Warsaw), Program EU INFO-2000 (School of Business Administration, Warsaw), Adjusting of Polish Administration of Justice to EU Requirements (School of Business Administration, Warsaw), Co-operatives in Poland and EU (Humanistic School, Pultusk).

1. Identification of selected courses with a comparative European Public Administration dimension

European Integration Process

The purpose is to introduce the students to the present theoretical background of polity, politics and governance. Particular attention is drawn to the participation of governments and other political institutions in the European integration.

International Organizations and International Co-operating

The course discusses different types of international organizations (EU, NATO, UN), their scope of activities, understanding and explanation.

Not every course can be defined as being purely “regular”. In this group of courses there are also courses which are highly specialized and detailed. An example of one such course is the “EU INFO 2000 program”.

Most of these courses are comparative courses focusing on Comparative Public Administration (“European policy on social and economic issues”, “European Integration Process”, “Contemporary models of Public Administration”, “Local Government and Administration in EU Countries”, “Experiences of EU Countries in Integration Process”, “Social Policy in Poland and EU”, “Polish and EU Agriculture Policy”, “Adjusting Polish Administration of Justice to EU Requirements”, “Co-operatives in Poland and EU”).

All of the programs focus on the growing importance of the European and comparative dimension in Public Administration, especially, since 1989 and the recent Polish Administration Reforms.

D. Private (non-public) schools – Faculty of Political Sciences

In 1998/1999, the main courses with a European or comparative European Public Administration dimension at the non-public schools Political Sciences Faculties are:

Contemporary Political and Legal Trends (School of Economics and Administration, Kielce),

Theory of International Relations (School of Business and Pedagogic, Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski), International Political Systems (School of Marketing and Management Bielsko-Biala, School of Economics and Administration Kielce, School of Business and Pedagogic Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski), European Integration (School of Marketing and Management Bielsko-Biala, School of Economics and Administration Kielce), European Community (School of International Business and Political Relations, Gdynia), Local Government in European Countries (School of Business and Pedagogic, Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski), International Politic Relations (School of Marketing and Management Bielsko-Biala, School of International Business and Political Relations Gdynia, School of Economics and Administration Kielce, School of Business and Pedagogic Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski).

In this group of courses, the domination of political matters is evident. Within courses devoted to the system of administration, courses of political- administrative aspects predominate, more than administrative ones.

Such a method of program for construction of curriculum cannot be undermined because character of the faculty obligates to this framework. Therefore, the group of courses of public administration domain lectured at political sciences faculty includes more issues of political systems and their functioning, than a model which is represented by courses which are lectured at public administration faculty. This situation is illustrated by Charts 11, 12, 13, 14.

Chart 11

The percentage relation of European courses to the other courses offered by university Law and PA Faculties.

The above data shown emphasize that European courses are in the majority among current courses offered, both at university Law and PA Faculties, Political Sciences and private (non-public) schools. The most dynamic development of European and comparative courses can be noticed at both the Political Sciences Faculties and Private Schools.

All European or comparative courses were divided according to the below categories:

• EU as a politico-administrative system,
• Comparative Public Administration courses concentrating predominantly on Europe,
• Comparative Public Administration focusing exclusively on Europe.

Similarly to the division of courses offered at the faculties of administration and political sciences, identification of leading courses are among those given with the same consideration to each division. The course group of „EU as a politico-administrative system” is part of the larger grouping of study known as the “European Integration Process”. These courses that are offered at the university, count for three of the thirty hours for the duration at one semester. Examinations are given at the conclusion of each lecture. The next course (30 hours) which follows is „ The Economic Integration in EU”, taught at two academic institutions.

It should be emphasized that these courses present European integration issues form a more general perspective. The European integration process and economic integration are regarded as leading subjects of study. They contain the necessary background information, needed for further studies in contemporary European systems of public administration.

In the grouping of comparative public administration courses, the general concentration is on the European system; the greatest emphasis is placed on „International Political Relations”, which is offered by five academic institutions, „International Political Systems”, also offered by three academic institutions, or „Contemporary Models of Public Administration” which are all similar in content to the course „Local Government in Europe and USA”. This group of courses is more extensive and diverse. These courses focus on typical theoretical issues of comparative public administration, as well as those, which present practical aspects to administration functioning. Administration is understood to be in the broad sense, because it looks at comparing the background of all aspects of the political, social and legal issues of contemporary existing systems.

Attention shall be given to the fact that both, public and non-public academic institutions need to implement a more of international perspective of comparing programs of public administration. Non-public schools offer more courses in this area. The is however a rising interest by universities to offer lectures in comparative subjects. Leading courses are those, which tend to be more general and present issues of public administration, which function in a comprehensive manner. Courses, which are more specific, are in the minority. The fact is, these courses are not always connected with at a smaller number of hours.

In the third group, there are comparative courses in public administration which concentrate only on European systems. The leading courses among these are those which analyze systems of central and local administration in European Union countries („Local Government and Administration in EU Countries”, „Administration of Western Europe Countries”). These subjects are lectured at three academic institutions (one of them being a university).

It has to be emphasized that at the comparison of the Europeanization level on public administration programs in public and non-public schools in Poland, more courses are offered in non-public institutions. It is a signal that for these academic institutions it is easier to adopt to new standards of European teaching. There is a need for adopting these teaching programs to the current environment. There is now the possibility of flexible implementation of program changes that already exists in non-public academic institutions.

Table 2.

EU as a politico-administrative system

No.	Course	School	Duration in hours
1.	Economic integration in EU	University of Wroclaw, School of Business Administration, Warsaw	30 30
2.	Judging the conflicts in EU	School of Foreign Languages and Economics, Czestochowa	15
3.	European Integration Process	School of Public Administration, Szczecin; School of Marketing and Management, Bielsko-Biala; School of Economics and Administration, Kielce	30 30 30
4.	European Community and Regional Organizations	School of Business Administration, Warsaw	40
5.	Personnel’s training for needs of Poland with EU integration	School of Business Administration, Warsaw	30
6.	Program EU INFO 2000	School of Business Administration, Warsaw	30
7.	Political geography	University of Maria Sklodowska-Curie, Lublin	60
8.	National minorities in Europe	University of Maria Sklodowska-Curie, Lublin	60
9.	European Community	School of International Business and Political Relations, Gdynia

The courses offered within these three separate groups do not always have regular character. Their duration varies from 12 hours („Co-operatives in Poland and EU”) to 90 hours („Contemporary political systems”). The content of the program causes this. It should be emphasized that courses of a more general character, consist of a larger number of hours, when compared to specialized ones. The method of completing such courses depends on existing (or non-existing) division of lectures and recitations. Lectures end with an examination (written or oral exam), recitations end with a grade given for the course.

Regularity is characteristic to „leading” courses. This regularity is expressed by the possibility of learning about basics of each subject, its general principals, issues and guidelines at the beginning of the education process. The general outline is developed during further years of studying E.G. „Contemporary models of Public Administration” (offered in Bialystok School of Public Administration), where during the first academic year students can learn about the different systems of public administration in EU countries and the USA. They compare both systems. During the next semesters, the subject is developed and enriched by a knowledge of public administration models or legal, political and social aspects of Poland. „Social policy in Poland and EU” offered at University of A. Mickiewicz in Poznań is similar to this.

Most of courses offered at public or non-public academic institutions, are copyrighted. Their authors – professors or Habilited doctors, usually lecture each. They are responsible for the realization of the program’s content.

The present review may cover only courses where the main responsibility is born by professors or Habilited doctors, whose responsibility is officially assigned by the department or faculty. However, it is quite popular that non-members of the department (institute) are used as one-time, single course or regular part-time teachers. This concerns both, people with a doctorate degree and other experts. Even in those cases a departmental lecturer bears the official responsibility for the course. The only exception in a few universities (or non public schools) are, programs given in English (for example “International Politic Relations” at School of International Business and Political Relations in Gdynia).

Table 3.

Comparative Public Administration courses concentrating predominantly on Europe

No.	Course	School	Duration in hours
1.	International co-operation at the regional level	University of Adam Mickiewicz, Poznan	30
2.	Judging the international conflicts	School of Business Administration, Warsaw	20
3.	Contemporary models of Public Administration	School of Public Administration, Bialystok	30
4.	International relations	Humanistic School. Pultusk	60
5.	International organizations and international co-operation	Kozminski School of Business and Management, Warsaw	30
6.	Theory of international relations	University of Maria Sklodowska-Curie, Lublin, School of Business and Pedagogic	60 30
7.	Contemporary political systems	University of Maria Sklodowska-Curie, Lublin,	90
8.	Local government in Europe and USA	University of Maria Sklodowska-Curie, Lublin	60
9.	International political relations	University of Maria Sklodowska-Curie, Lublin, School of Marketing and Management, Bielsko-Biala, School of International Business and Political Relations, Gdynia, School of Economics and Administration, Kielce, School of Business and Pedagogic, Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski	60 30   60 60
10.	Contemporary political and legal trends	School of Economics and Administration, Kielce	30
11.	International political systems	School of Marketing and Management, Bielsko-Biala, School of Economics and Administration, Kielce, School of Business and Pedagogic, Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski	60 30 60

Table 4.

Comparative Public Administration focusing exclusively on Europe

No.	Course	School	Duration in hours
1.	Administration of Western Europe Countries	University of Adam Mickiewicz, Poznan	30
2.	Social Policy in Poland and EU	University of Adam Mickiewicz, Poznan	30
3.	Local government and Administration in EU Countries	School of Foreign Languages and Economics, Czestochowa School of Business and Pedagogic, Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski	30 30
4.	Experiences of EU Countries in Integration Process	School of Business Administration, Warsaw	20
5.	Polish and EU agriculture Policy	Humanistic School, Pultusk	16
6.	Problems of Polish administration of justice adjusting to EU requirements	School of Business Administration, Warsaw	30
7.	Co-operatives in Poland and EU	Humanistic School. Pultusk	12

These three courses are examples of comparative public administration:

• EU as a political and administrative system
• Comparative Public Administration courses concentrating predominantly on Europe
• Comparative Public Administration focusing exclusively on Europe

As mentioned above, not only were political systems compared, but also were their individual elements. The largest changes can be attributed to the “EU as political and administrative systems”, because of deep, basic transformations taking place in Europe. They especially concern the process of Europe unification. First of all, events taking place in EU dominate the education programs, in regards to political and economic systems. Those events shape and form unification of Europe.

Most of these changes concerning the introduction of uniform common market and monetary union (introducing Euro-money from January 1, 1999).

It should also be noted that there are two postgraduate European Studies in Poland: one in Natolin, and the second in Warsaw.

The College of Europe in Natolin is a unique and innovative postgraduate institute of European studies, based on the “Bruges Formula”. In Bruges and Natolin, the College of Europe trains competent and experienced Europeans, ready to take up the professional responsibilities facing them in tomorrow’s Europe. Since its beginning, the College has offered courses, which closely follow the move towards European integration. It has continuously adapted its programs, insisting on the high quality and standards. This prepares graduates of the College to be better equipped to meet the challenges of their times. The College is characterized by its independence, its bilinguals, (English and French), and the diversity of its teaching staff (academic and practitioners).

The program of the College offers a post-graduate training with the highest academic standard as well as, a practical approach to European realities. The program aims at providing the students with a highly specialized knowledge of the European dimension in their field of studies. It also provides students with an in-depth understanding of European integration, including contemporary problems of the European society.

In Natolin the program is built around Interdisciplinary European Studies with a specialization in Economics, Law / Political and Administrative Sciences. The emphasis of these studies are on problems related to the pre-accession stage of Central and Eastern European countries.

Address: College of Europe Natolin, ul. Nowoursynowska 84, 02-797 Warszawa,

The second postgraduate study is European Center at Warsaw University – Postgraduate European Studies in Warsaw. The program offers a post-graduate training on problems related to the pre-accession stage of Poland, European law, European integration economy, social sciences, and European databases.

Address: European Center, Warsaw University, Al. Niepodleglosci 22, 02-653 Warszawa.

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ] [ Part 4 ] [ Part 5 ] [ Part 6 ] [ Part 7 ] [ Part 8 ] [ Part 9 ] [ Annexes ]