The shape and specificity of public sector expenditure in Poland

Abstract

The public sector expenditures vary in their nature and character. Their permanent growth increases demand for public funds. With limited financial wealth of public authorities, having its source in the range of taxation and public debt, the regularity of allocation and proper use of funds requires special attention. Some issues become therefore increasingly important and concern: the specificity of public spending, expressed in a multitude of categories and types of public expenditure, the rational rules making in a variety of legal forms, and using a broad institutional spectrum (state budget, local budgets, special funds). The purpose of this article is to synthesise the shape and characteristics of public expenditure from the perspective of the theory of public finance, legal regulations and actual implementation within the central and local government in Poland.