The systemic position and prospects for the development of professional self-government in Poland in the opinion of members of selected corporations

Abstract

The socio-political changes which had begun in Poland over three decades ago resulted in, inter alia, the activation of various occupational groups that have decided to operate based on public law. This meant the creation of corporate self-government organizations that are based on associations of persons with compulsory membership. Ever since the political reforms in Poland have been undertaken, professional self-government has been considered an important element of the state’s administrative system. For several years in Poland there has been a public debate on the future of professional self-government during which arguments have been raised that question the need for the continued functioning of this type of organizations. Moreover, doubts have been raised as to whether the chambers of professional self-government strengthen democratic aspirations and the development of self-governance, or whether they are anachronistic structures that threaten the consolidation of the market order in Poland. Therefore, it is not only worth pointing out the essence and the tasks of professional self-government, as well as its historical development in the country, but first of all to draw attention to the importance of this type of entities in creating democratic state institutions and in accelerating participatory processes. Crucial to the future of professional self-government, however, is the attitude toward the parent organizations of those who form such corporations. For this reason, the article decides to present the results of a survey on the evaluation of the functioning of selected professional self-governments by their representatives. The opinions obtained in this way can provide members and authorities of professional self-governments with material for reflection, but most importantly for optimization of actions strengthening the corporation as an important element of the system of a democratic state and civil society.