Deutschland, Polen und die Geopolitik
Germany, Poland and Geopolitics

Author(s): Daniel J. Lemmen
Subject(s): History, Diplomatic history, History of ideas, Political history, Recent History (1900 till today)
Published by: Wydawnictwo Akademickie SEDNO
Keywords: Germany; Poland; geopolitics; XX century
Summary/Abstract: In addition to the deterministic emphasis on the geographical location of a state, geopolitics tries to identify patterns in the past that provide information about the geopolitical challenges of the future. Although Germany and Poland seem to occupy a central role (not only geographically) within the major geopolitical changes of the 20th century, their geopolitical significance has received little attention in (especially German) research (on Poland). This thesis inquires into the role that both states have played in the past within certain geopolitical constellations as well as in geopolitical theories, and into the question of what possible significance can be derived from this for the future. To answer this research question, the study analyses the historical or possible role of both states within a given geopolitical constellation in five selected historical case studies (1916, 1933/34, 1938/39, 1945–1989, since 1990) as well as in three future scenarios. In addition to a historiographical analysis, the research project focuses on the works of Polish, German and international geopoliticians from the past and present (Mackinder, Spykman, Ratzel, Kjellén, Naumann, Dmowski, Piłsudski, Studnicki, Haushofer, Schmitt, Wojciechowski, Matuszewski, Bocheński, Mackiewicz, Brill, Buck, Moczulski, Dugin, Brzeziński). In particular, the thesis shows the danger of a dynamic geopolitical constellation for German-Polish relations. For so-called German Geopolitik (up to 1945), Poland’s role is almost universally negative. In Polish geopolitics, however, different geopolitical schools (anti-German, sceptical of Germany but willing to cooperate, pro-German) are evident. The research results allow the statement that both states were primarily geopolitical opponents of interest with regard to geopolitical constellations and theories in the past. For the future, it can be deduced from this that such an antagonism cannot be ruled out – which is clearly indicated by developed future scenarios.

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