The Search for Reconciliation Sino-Japanese and German-Polish Relations since World War II
The Search for Reconciliation Sino-Japanese and German-Polish Relations since World War II by Yinan He, published by Cambridge University Press on April 27, 2009, is an illustrated edition comprising 357 pages. This book explores the dynamics of post-conflict interstate relations, particularly focusing on why some former enemy nations achieve lasting peace while others remain entrenched in animosity. Through detailed case studies of Sino-Japanese and West German-Polish relations, He examines the role of historical memory in shaping diplomatic interactions and reconciliation efforts.
Readers will find a thorough analysis of how national memories influence the prospects for peace between countries with a history of conflict. The book discusses the impact of mythmaking on collective memory and its detrimental effects on reconciliation efforts. By contrasting the approaches taken by China and Japan with those of West Germany and Poland, He highlights the importance of addressing historical grievances and fostering mutual understanding. This work contributes to the fields of history and political science, offering insights into international relations and the psychology behind interpersonal relations in a post-war context.
Official synopsis Publisher
Why have some former enemy countries established durable peace while others remain mired in animosity? When and how does historical memory matter in post-conflict interstate relations? Focusing on two case studies, Yinan He argues that the key to interstate reconciliation is the harmonization of national memories. Conversely, memory divergence resulting from national mythmaking harms long-term prospects for reconciliation. After WWII, Sino-Japanese and West German-Polish relations were both antagonized by the Cold War structure, and pernicious myths prevailed in national collective memory. In the 1970s, China and Japan brushed aside historical legacy for immediate diplomatic normalization. But the progress of reconciliation was soon impeded from the 1980s by elite mythmaking practices that stressed historical animosities. In contrast, from the 1970s West Germany and Poland began to de-mythify war history and narrowed their memory gap through restitution measures and textbook cooperation, paving the way for significant progress toward reconciliation after the Cold War.
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