German-Polish relations: asymmetry of interests and mutual perception

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to analyze the asymmetry of interests and mutual perception in German-Polish relations, to consider them through the prism of asymmetry, to determine the level of its danger and destructive effects. German-Polish relations encompass a wide range of disparities in the socio-economic, political, and military spheres. The relationship between Germany and Poland is a typical model of asymmetric interaction between two asymmetric powers, with different ways of pursuing interests, despite numerous common features. The specifics and development of these relations, determined by historical, geographical, economic, and cultural factors, are a kind of key to understanding the complex nature of asymmetric relations. The lack of not only symmetry of potentials and decision-making, but also interests, goals, aspirations between Germany and Poland moves their interaction into the plane of asymmetric relations, which are sometimes extremely difficult to bring to the level of identical perception of each other. The asymmetry of interests can generate conflict situations and the search for reconciliation between the parties is rather complicated. The vector of development of relations between countries is influenced by the asymmetry of mutual perception. The advantage of the Federal Republic of Germany over the Republic of Poland in terms of power indicators, quantitative and qualitative parameters of socio-economic development, creates a basis for asymmetry of interests and mutual perception. Despite their mutual interest in the development of trade and economic cooperation, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Poland act as competing parties and express different visions of the further development of the EU, the conditions and prospects of bilateral cooperation, which largely depends on the level of interdependence and asymmetry of potentials.
The consequence of the asymmetric nature of German-Polish relations, the asymmetry of interests and mutual perception are bursts of tension and hostility.