EN
The socio-economic transformation started in the years 1989-1990 introduced the rules o f market game and decentralization o f the State management. One of elements o f these changes was revival of the local self-government at the level o f administrative districts in Poland. The role and place held by the local self-government in the structure o f public power underwent major changes. This article is an attempt at an analysis of chosen legal-economic foundations o f the self-government operation and possibilities of stimulating the development o f administrative districts. There are discussed in it the system o f state management, the allocation o f tasks and powers among various organs the state and self-government administration, foundations o f the self-government’s economic autonomy, i.e. district funds and assets, as well as spatial planning as an instrument allowing to stimulate the local development.