National economic development largely depends on the development of the energy sector. Its condition is most commonly assessed based on the situation over the last year. An alternative approach, however, is to evaluate fluctuations in development that have occurred over a longer period. In this paper, both methodologies have been applied, in order to assess, based on the results, which of them is more accurate. The article hypothesizes that the second method is more accurate. To prove this empirically, values representing the energy development in various sectors (industrial, agricultural, transport, service and the other (miscellaneous) sectors) in various European countries over the 2009–2018 period were estimated. The development fluctuations that occurred during the period under consideration were evaluated according to two parameters—intensity and stability. The first parameter was taken to be the difference between the values representing energy development in a given sectors at the end and beginning of the period under consideration. The second parameter was taken as the aggregate change across consecutive time slots during which positive or negative fluctuations occurred. The value of energy development in a particular economic sector was estimated as the product of the latter coefficient and the development intensity indicator. Comparison of the results representing evaluation of energy development based on the methodology proposed, and the analysis of the situation in the last year for which data was available revealed that the results in both cases differed, with the values varying from 2% (for the transport sector) to 4.5% (for the agricultural sector). Taking into account the fact that the indicator representing energy development in particular economic sectors was estimated as a percentage of the total sectoral energy consumption, this difference was relatively significant (22.7 and 1.5% respectively). Thus, the findings suggest that application of the proposed methodology is relevant. The methodology provides a greater potential to adequately research issues related to national economic development.

Security, synonymous with stability and development, in its most desirable form ensures certainty of existence, preservation of identity, freedom of affiliation, activity and functioning of individuals and communities, integrity and independence, satisfaction of basic needs, defence against their loss, prosperity and satisfaction. The interpretation adopted for the purposes of the paper refers to several elements that affect national security. It is primarily creating its security by organising society on the basis of power, giving its actions a purposeful character serving to maintain order and stability, and social order. Another element is the creation of certain states of social reality through the policy of the institution of power, which relates to the present, but inevitably leads to the future. The third element is the creation of future, desired social, political and economic phenomena and processes forming the order and the basis for further related activities, based on the policy instrument, which is the national security strategy. The last element is combining all of the previously listed in national security management. Together, these elements create an interpretation of the way of transforming and creating the state's ability to ensure its security, a necessary condition for its existence and development. The presented study, not exhausting the subject, allows for the formulation of directions for further research, which appear to be important in creating national security.

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The processes of development and functioning of the State in the context of its security certainly have to be considered not only in a multisectoral perspective, but also in the perspective of the so-called “longevity,” the effects of which are perceived in a broader sense. Capturing the essence of the described phenomena, the regularities of which have a universal dimension, is crucial for research. It is impossible to envisage a future, also in terms of security, without dialogue with the past. The history of Poland does not coincide with a simple series of events substantiating contemporary conditions or confirming confidence in the victory of historical justice. In this context, the question of historical conclusions regarding the “nature” of the Polish state and its future remains relevant. The assessment of strategic directions of the Polish security policy, seen through the prism of rich (over a thousand) years of experience proves that the creation of new assumptions of the national security system without considering the conclusions drawn from history may constitute a deficient concept, comprising incomplete or even erroneous recommendations.

The process of national security management must take into account each state’s interests in order to meet the expectations, needs and aspirations of the whole nation. In the initial conceptual and decision-making stage, this process includes ideological and doctrinal-level thinking as well as considerations at the program and operational levels. The following implementation stage covers the initiation of concrete security measures. This process must be flexible and take into account all changes taking place in the external environment of the state, as well as all transformations occurring within the security system, in order to create an effective and long-term security policy. An efficient organization of national security management requires a broad interdisciplinary approach taking into account executive issues, as well as decisions made at the central – ministerial level. In Poland, there are two mechanisms to derive national security strategies, adjudicate their results, and then adapt to evolving conditions and needs. These mechanisms are the state defense strategy verified by Strategic Defence Review process and national security system verified by the Strategic National Security Review. This article will summarize these two processes to include recent changes based on the evolving international security arena.