ABSTRACT
The analysis of national identity construction and historical narratives about Russia revealed significant differences between Finland, Poland and Germany. A common feature of these countries was that the Russian Other played a prominent role in national identity construction. Controversial bilateral relations with Russia in the past left an enduring trace in German, Polish and Finnish identities. According to the theoretical model adopted in the book, national identity guides and constrains foreign policy makers’ choices. However, political leaders can also make selective and instrumental use of particular identity discourses in order to achieve specific foreign policy goals. Conversely, dominant Polish historical narratives consistently depicted Russia as Poland’s main negative Other. The image of Russia as Poland’s main antagonist was functional to the construction of narratives on Polish heroism and martyrdom, which are essential to Polish national identity. Nationalist and anti-Russian narratives were held responsible for the escalation that had dragged the country into a disastrous war.
