Conceptualizing the Arctic

Abstract

This chapter pursues the following four aims: First and foremost, to conceptualize the Arctic as a multifaceted region within a changing global context, which is both affected by it and affecting it. Secondly, to examine the present-day world discourse on the Arctic, including neorealist, neoliberal, globalist, and postpositivist approaches. Thirdly, to describe the major drivers of the global Arctic dynamics; namely, climate change, ecological changes, changes in resources extraction practices and corresponding infrastructure development, including urbanization, as well as changes in geopolitical configurations, and changes in Arctic economies, societies and cultures. Finally, to define, analyze, and discuss concrete ways to address these changes in the global Arctic, including mitigation, adaptation, and resilience-building strategies.KeywordsThe ArcticTheoretical approachesClimate change mitigation and adaptationSustainable developmentResilience