Transformation of the political and geographical space of the Arctic: an approach of postcritical geopolitics

Abstract

The article deals with the transformation of the space of the Arctic. The authors revealed differences of the concepts of “territory” and “space” in geography and geopolitics. It is underlined that sociocultural and ideological aspects of the territory development are not taken into account, which leads to the formation of ineffective long-term state policy. The authors formulated the definition of “regional geopolitical space” based on post-structuralism ideas. Borders nowadays are becoming much more “porous” in some areas and for some groups, while they are securitized for other flows of goods, people and ideas. Along with political geography as a whole, critical geopolitics argues that spatiality is not limited to territoriality. The authors also describe the correlation between economic, ideological power of the state and its ability to form and fulfill geographic and geopolitical space. Based on the postcritical paradigm, the authors identified and described key trends in the development of the Arctic region. Critical geopolitics argues that the emerging forms of global governance do not “smooth out” space, but, on the contrary, increase spatial differentiation. The territory and space of the Arctic is extremely fragile and sensitive for external interaction not only in matters of economic development, but also of political and ideological.