„Second economy" — a theoretical analysis

The article is a theoretical analysis of a so-called "second economy", The author devotes much attention to the presentation of Hungarian and American sociological research on the "second economy". The term "second economy" denotes different forms of economic activity by individuals not controlled by any formal organization. Thus, the "second economy" comprises illegal activity as such as well as the activity which is not under control because the organization gave up control due to its inefficiency. The second part of the article is concerned with the influence of features characteristic for the post-war Polish economy on the functioning of the "second economy". The article is concluded with research postulates and problem to be solved by empirical studies of the "second economy".Digitalizacja i deponowanie archiwalnych zeszytów RPEiS sfinansowane przez MNiSW w ramach realizacji umowy nr 541/P-DUN/201