An Introduction to Arctic Governance and Geopolitics
Edward Elgar Publishing
Will be published approx. on 23. June 2026
Book
Hardback
228 pages
978-1-0353-0145-4 (ISBN)
Description
This timely book provides a foundational overview of the governance and geopolitics of the Arctic, an area which has moved from the margins of world politics to a region of global relevance. Identifying the main trends and drivers shaping Arctic politics, the authors move beyond a simplified portrayal to bridge regional and global dynamics and offer a nuanced understanding of what is happening in the region.
Evaluating key tensions, complexities and relationships, Iselin Nemeth Winther and Andreas Osthagen analyse the subregions, resources, disputes, partnerships and actors that shape cooperation and competition in Arctic politics. They also look to the future with scenario-based explorations that emphasise the need for specificity, critical analysis and a multifaceted approach to studying this increasingly contested region.
This book is a crucial resource for students and scholars of Arctic studies, international relations, geopolitics, political science and international law. It is also prime reading for policy analysts, legal practitioners and historians seeking a deeper understanding of the factors that are driving Arctic politics.
Evaluating key tensions, complexities and relationships, Iselin Nemeth Winther and Andreas Osthagen analyse the subregions, resources, disputes, partnerships and actors that shape cooperation and competition in Arctic politics. They also look to the future with scenario-based explorations that emphasise the need for specificity, critical analysis and a multifaceted approach to studying this increasingly contested region.
This book is a crucial resource for students and scholars of Arctic studies, international relations, geopolitics, political science and international law. It is also prime reading for policy analysts, legal practitioners and historians seeking a deeper understanding of the factors that are driving Arctic politics.
Reviews / Votes
'Amid growing geopolitical noise about the Arctic, Winther and Osthagen bring much-needed clarity and nuance. Sharp, accessible, and informed by years of Arctic scholarship and engagement, this book moves beyond simplistic narratives to examine the complex realities shaping Arctic governance, security, and cooperation in a rapidly changing world.' -- Jennifer Spence, Harvard Kennedy School, USAMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-0145-4 (9781035301454)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Iselin Nemeth Winther, Researcher, Fridtjof Nansen Institute and Andreas Osthagen, Research Director, Arctic and Ocean Politics and Research Professor, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Oslo, Norway
Content
Contents
PART I INTRODUCING THE ARCTIC
1 Arctic governance and geopolitics in the 21st century
2 The Arctic: definitions, borders, and states
3 The Arctic Ocean
PART II ARCTIC GOVERNANCE AND GEOPOLITICS
4 Arctic governance: regional cooperation and state interests
5 Arctic geopolitics: global trends, Russia, China, NATO
PART III GOVERNANCE AND GEOPOLITICS IN PRACTICE
AND THE FUTURE
6 Future scenarios for Arctic governance and geopolitics
7 Concluding remarks: complexity, nuances, and multiple
Arctic 'stories'
PART I INTRODUCING THE ARCTIC
1 Arctic governance and geopolitics in the 21st century
2 The Arctic: definitions, borders, and states
3 The Arctic Ocean
PART II ARCTIC GOVERNANCE AND GEOPOLITICS
4 Arctic governance: regional cooperation and state interests
5 Arctic geopolitics: global trends, Russia, China, NATO
PART III GOVERNANCE AND GEOPOLITICS IN PRACTICE
AND THE FUTURE
6 Future scenarios for Arctic governance and geopolitics
7 Concluding remarks: complexity, nuances, and multiple
Arctic 'stories'