Abstract
The Arctic gains an increasing geopolitical importance in the globalized world. The region provides a lot of opportunities especially due to the global warming and intensive development of digital technology but at the same time, it poses extreme challenges. The chapter starts with a literature review on interactions, relationships, networks and their implications on trans-Arctic collaborations. The first section begins by exploring how each Arctic state deals with the opportunities and challenges of the region. The second section describes the evolution of trans-Arctic relations. In the third section, market connections between the Arctic states, the importance of establishing a predictable regulatory framework, knowledge and data exchange, broadband penetration, and use of traditional indigenous knowledge to stimulate sustainable long-term trans-Arctic interactions are analyzed. The chapter ends with conclusions and recommendations aimed at the future development of trans-Arctic interactions with a focus on global intervention policies and strategies in the region.
TopIntroduction
The Arctic gains an increasing geopolitical importance in our modern globalized world. The challenges posed by the Arctic to react to the recent globalization trends are unlike any on the planet. This region provides many opportunities especially due to the global warming and intensive development of digital technology but at the same time, the Arctic poses extreme challenges. The region is characterized by a dispersed population, harsh climate, and lower rates of broadband adoption than non-Arctic regions.
The chapter starts with a literature review on the interactions, relationships, networks, and their implications on trans-Arctic collaborations. Detailed review of theoretical concepts of interactions is presented followed by the main aspects of collaboration and network models. The first section begins by exploring how each Nordic state (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the USA) deals with the opportunities and challenges of the region. A special attention is given to the role of China within the framework of Globalization 3.0 (China-dominated) (Walker, 2007). Next, this section lays out some of the predominant societal benefits of trans-Arctic economic development. The research methodology is presented at the end of the section. Second section describes the evolution of trans-Arctic relations between the Arctic states as well as between China and the Arctic states with a special focus on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a driver for the future development of trans-Arctic interactions. Comparative analysis on the collaborative models in the region is performed with a focus on recent geopolitical influences and interventions. In third section, the market connections between the Nordic states and between China and the Arctic are analyzed. The opportunities to develop sustainable long-term trans-Arctic interactions are discussed.
The global demand for natural resources and shorter routes for marine transportation of goods has started a race in and to the Arctic by the stakeholders looking to gain footholds in the circumpolar region. The situation in the Arctic raises many important questions about habitat and climate, about how local societies in the North should relate to the growing industrialization. That is why the trans-Arctic interactions should be based on responsible and sustainable collaborative models with long-term goals. The chapter ends with the conclusions based on the received research results. The conclusions are discussed regarding their implications for future research. Recommendations aimed at future development of trans-Arctic interactions are given. A special attention is devoted to the research implications for global intervention policies and strategies in the region.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Globalization 3.0: The world entered into the new era of Globalization 3.0 around the year 2000. The driving force in Globalization 3.0 is the newfound power of the individuals to collaborate and to compete globally provided by the software and Internet. Globalization 3.0 is going to be powered by non-western and non-white group of individuals.
Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM): Ecosystem-based management is used for the projects that incorporate interaction of different levels: organisms, ecosystem, and human component. The EBM considers social and cultural aspects into the solution, not just only scientific reasoning. According to the Arctic Council (2013) , the EBM is defined as a comprehensive, integrated management of human activities based on the best available scientific and traditional knowledge about the ecosystem and its dynamics, in order to identify and take action on the influences that are critical to the health of ecosystems, thereby achieving sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services and maintenance of ecosystem integrity.
Arctic Economic Council (AEC): An independent organization that facilitates the Arctic business-to-business activities and responsible economic development through the sharing of best practices, technological solutions, standards, and other information.