What are the geopolitical grounds and mutual interests for enhanced cooperation between the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland in a West Nordic/Arctic Region
Author
Lútzen, Marjun Olsen
Term
4. term
Publication year
2015
Submitted on
2015-01-30
Pages
73
Abstract
I de senere år er Arktis gået fra at være relativt ukendt til at være i centrum for international opmærksomhed. Klimaforandringer smelter havisen og åbner nye sejlruter mellem kontinenter. Undersøgelser tyder på store, endnu uudnyttede ressourcer - olie, gas og mineraler - mens ændrede fiskebestande og nye ruter kan styrke turismen. Det skaber muligheder, men også konkurrence mellem større magter. Specialet undersøger, hvad denne udvikling betyder for tre små arktiske samfund: Færøerne, Island og Grønland. Grønland er et hovedmål for råstofudvinding, men alle tre kan have svært ved hver for sig at omsætte den udefrakommende interesse til egen fordel. Det centrale spørgsmål er, om de kan stå stærkere ved at samarbejde tættere, når de møder større aktører. For at vurdere både viljen til og formen for et styrket samarbejde ser studiet først på deres historie, herunder koloniale erfaringer, som i nogle tilfælde består i dag. Derefter gennemgås eksisterende samarbejdsformer og analyseres med udgangspunkt i liberal institutionalisme (tanken om, at regler og institutioner muliggør samarbejde) og regionalisme (partnerskaber blandt nære naboer). Hele analysen er sat ind i en arktisk kontekst. Med kvalitative metoder og en analytisk tilgang samt omfattende dataundersøgelser identificerer specialet fælles interesser og mål på tværs af Færøerne, Island og Grønland. Konklusionen er, at et styrket samarbejde mellem dem, givet udviklingen i Arktis og deres geostrategiske placeringer, både er fordelagtigt og sandsynligt.
In recent years, the Arctic has moved from relative obscurity to the center of international attention. Climate change is melting sea ice and opening new shipping routes between continents. Studies point to large, still-untapped resources—oil, gas, and minerals—while shifting fish stocks and new sea lanes may also boost tourism. This creates opportunities but also competition among larger powers. This thesis examines what these changes mean for three small Arctic polities: the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland. Greenland is a primary focus for resource extraction, yet all three may struggle to turn outside interest to their advantage on their own. The central question is whether they can stand stronger by cooperating more closely when engaging with bigger actors. To assess both the willingness and the potential shape of stronger cooperation, the study first considers their histories, including experiences of colonization, which in some cases persist today. It then reviews existing collaborations and analyzes them through the lenses of liberal institutionalism (the idea that rules and institutions enable cooperation) and regionalism (partnerships among neighboring areas). The analysis is framed throughout by the Arctic context. Using qualitative methods, an analytical approach, and extensive data research, the thesis identifies common interests and goals across the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland. The conclusion is that, given developments in the Arctic and the geostrategic positions of these countries, enhanced cooperation among them is both beneficial and likely.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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