The article expounds three visions of international relations within the triangle of Poland - Germany - the European Union present in contemporary Polish political thought in the period preceding Poland's accession to the EU. Supporters of the pro-accession-optimistic paradigm claimed that Poland and Germany share basic national interests so integrative structures create a platform for a more effective implementation of common goals. On the other hand, according to the pro-accession-pessimistic conception, processes of European integration are an antidote to an excessive expansion of German power, while Polish-German reconciliation should not overshadow the numerous hazards that ensue from Berlin's actual or hypothetical pursuit of a dominant position in Europe. In turn adherents of the anti-accession paradigm considered Poland's and Germany's interests to be objectively contradictory and viewed the European Union as an agency of Berlin's raison d'état.
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