Verification of research assumptions

Abstract

An economic crisis also sparks a desire to introduce changes in the functioning of public administration institutions. Such actions were taken by the central authorities of Greece and Italy. Whenever it is necessary to carry out tasks in order to fulfil public expectations but resources are limited, the state begins to seek ways to financially optimise the execution of these tasks. Dissolution of the intermediate levels of public administration or decreasing the number of local government entities are examples of actions that significantly change the functioning of the entire party system. Another phenomenon, which may occur in a crisis and is closely related to decentralisation, is the strengthening of decentralising tendencies in regions that possess their own distinctive features. Taking advantage of regional political elites to deepen the socio-political divide between the centre and the peripheries may lead to serious changes in the functioning of the entire political system: from changes in the territorial organisation of the state, to attempts to disintegrate it altogether. A serious economic crisis may also lead to a public debate on the necessity to change the constitution. In turn, any amendment of the constitution leads to a radical change in the functioning of a state’s political system. [fragm. tekstu]