Regional Policy as a Factor in Shaping Regional Development in Poland

Abstract Regional development is firmly rooted in the theory of land management, and today’s considerations and analyses in this area are gaining special importance. The relationship between specific conditions and the observed effects of regional development was considered under various theoretical concepts. Additionally, the interdependence of processes taking place on the international, national and regional level renders it necessary to pursue, inter alia, an effective regional policy. In this study, particular attention was given to the premises and objectives of intentional actions taken both at supra-regional level (inter-regional policy) and regional level (intra-regional policy). The theoretical considerations concerning the regional policy carried out were supplemented with current statistics regarding the development of regions in Poland. The aim of the study is to show the role of regional policy in shaping regional development and to analyse its current state on the basis of own research using multidimensional comparative analysis (MCA) methods. The considerations presented in the article lead to the conclusion that regional policy is an important factor in regional development, and the presented research results allow to assess the current level and diversity of this development in Poland.