The Oder-Neisse Line has been the frontier between Germany and Poland since the World War II. This Line was a symbol of a divided Europe, but now it has become a symbol of an integrated Europe. The purpose of this article is to explain the historic unfolding of Germany's recognition of the Oder-Neisse Line in terms of path dependence. This study shows that a contingent selection of a path at a critical juncture tends to be path dependent; a path dependent sequence of events necessitates recognition of the status quo as a prerequisite for reconciliation and cooperation.
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