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Zsfassung in dt. Sprache u.d.T.: Die Deutsche Demokratische Republik gegenüber den westlichen Besatzungsmächten

Dt. Zsfassung u.d.T.: Deutsche Ostpolitik

BETWEEN CONDEMNATION AND (N)OSTALGIA: ON THE POLITISATION OF THE LEGACY OF GDR IN REUNIFIED GERMANY
Reunified Germany emerged on the map of Europe in 1990. At first, settling an account with the communist Germany proceeded in a simplified way – everything about them seemed evil. Over time, this judgement became less biased and more comprehensive. At the beginning of the 21st century, the "trend for the East", which was called Ostalgie, prevailed. From that point forward, dealing with their past balances between a sentimental journey to the time of the German Democratic Republic and a harsh assessment of that reality. Until this day, modern Germany constitutes two unequal parts, as the polls confirm. They continue to be divided by a mental barrier — an invisible 'wall in people's heads', and many residents of the new lands still feel foreign in their own country. Their dissatisfaction is consciously and effectively exploited by the populist Alternative for Germany party. How the East German heritage becomes an instrument of political influence is the leading question of this article. The sources, mainly German, consist primarily of subject literature, documents, statistical reports and analysis of public opinion research centres, as well as comments of experts and press.

This article embarks on a fresh and pragmatic look at German reparations for Poland. The analysis is based on a historical, neo-institutional and rational theory approach. It covers past and current experiences of the 'reparations debate'. Then, in the context of Europeanisation processes and the Polish middle-income trap, the authors explain their original concept on how to identify areas of possible technological cooperation and provide recommendations. This strategic attempt to share modernity may enhance Polish economic development and enter the social and political debate as an effective means of Polish-German reconciliation.