The Greenlandic Wish for Independence - An investigation of the possibilities within free association
Author
Østergaard, Mikkel Underlin
Term
4. term
Publication year
2017
Submitted on
2017-05-31
Pages
88
Abstract
This thesis situates itself in Greenland’s ongoing pursuit of greater self-determination—from the 2009 Self-Government Act to the 2016 decision to establish a constitutional commission—and investigates whether free association could serve as an alternative to full sovereignty in the relationship between Greenland and Denmark. Framed by the UN decolonization options of integration, independence, or free association, it clarifies the concepts of sovereignty and free association and examines lessons from existing arrangements. Methodologically, the study uses qualitative document analysis and a comparative case approach to free-association models under New Zealand (e.g., Cook Islands and Niue) and the United States (Pacific Compacts), organized around three focal domains: citizenship, foreign and security policy, and the economy. The source base includes academic literature, UN definitions, legal and commission reports, and political statements, including views from Siumut politicians, while also considering Danish positions to illuminate potential negotiating space. On this basis, the thesis maps options, trade-offs, and design choices for a prospective free association agreement between Greenland and Denmark. As the excerpt covers only the early chapters, no definitive findings are presented here; instead, it lays the analytical groundwork for the later discussion of a possible agreement.
Denne afhandling tager udgangspunkt i den aktuelle grønlandske debat om større selvbestemmelse – fra Selvstyreloven af 2009 til beslutningen i 2016 om at nedsætte en forfatningskommission – og undersøger, om fri associering kan fungere som et alternativ til fuld suverænitet i forholdet mellem Grønland og Danmark. Med afsæt i FN’s afkoloniseringsramme, hvor selvbestemmelse kan ske gennem integration, uafhængighed eller fri associering, afklarer afhandlingen begreberne suverænitet og fri associering og analyserer erfaringer fra eksisterende ordninger. Metodisk bygger arbejdet på kvalitativ dokumentanalyse og et komparativt casestudie af friassocierede relationer under New Zealand (fx Cookøerne og Niue) og USA (kompaktordninger i Stillehavet), struktureret omkring tre fokusområder: statsborgerskab, udenrigs- og sikkerhedspolitik samt økonomi. Kildegrundlaget omfatter akademisk litteratur, FN-definitioner, lov- og kommissionsrapporter samt politiske udtalelser, herunder Siumut-politikeres synspunkter, og danske positioner inddrages for at belyse mulige forhandlingsrum. På den baggrund kortlægges valgmuligheder, afvejninger og mulige designgreb for en friassocieringsaftale mellem Grønland og Danmark. Da uddraget kun dækker specialets første del, præsenteres ingen endelige konklusioner her; i stedet skitseres det analytiske grundlag for den efterfølgende diskussion af et muligt aftaleudkast.
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Keywords
Greenland ; Independence ; Free association ; Free ; Association ; Constitution ; 2017 ; Sovereignty ; Arctic Studies ; Arctic ; Colonialism ; Associated state ; Denmark