Political processes and institutions. Рубрика в журнале - Arctic and North
Main Theoretical Approaches in the Arctic Policy Studies
Статья научная
The article identifies and analyzes the main theoretical approaches used in the studies of international relations and politics in the Arctic. Contemporary studies of the Arctic use elements of several main approaches in the field of international relations: realism, liberalism, social constructivism and global governance, as well as some others. The theoretical alternative between realism and liberalism manifests itself primary in the issues of Arctic security. Liberalism and the concept of global governance play an important role in explaining the multilevel and multi-actor nature of political processes and governance in the region. Social constructivism contributes to the understanding and functioning of Arctic political narratives. However, in most cases, they exist in the form of implicit assumptions rather than as systematically developed and substantiated models. The theoretical differences are mainly related to the definition of units and levels of analysis, particularly the role of states and other types of actors, and the nature of the relationship between them. Despite the fact that realistic approaches considering Arctic politics as inevitable competition of states in the logic of “zero-sum games” remain quite common, the general tendency is to search for more complex theoretical models that recognize the diversity of actors involved in Arctic processes, as well as the possibility of cooperative relations.
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Статья научная
The opening of the Arctic Sea routes ushers in many opportunities due to the melting of the Arctic Sea ice. The International Maritime Organization has introduced the Polar Code for shipping and training of seafarers. Follow up by regulatory authorities of incidents along with the Northern Sea Route and increasing ship casualties in the Arctic region have been analyzed, including the adequacy of existing regulations. The author’s opinion is that the inadequate oversight mechanism brings out a need for governments of the Arctic, especially in Russia, to examine the adequacy of measures undertaken, including regulation to implement the Polar code, associated infrastructure in the Arctic for safe navigation and the current state of search and rescue. The challenges in implementing the Polar Code and the necessity for independent maritime regulatory authorities and sharing information relating to the analysis of incidents are discussed. The practical significance of the article is in its use by policymakers and researchers working on transport policy and safety of Arctic navigation, and also for educational use at universities.
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Military-Political Situation in the Arctic: Hotspots of Tension and Ways of De-Escalation
Статья научная
The article describes the politico-military situation in the Arctic, including the development of military capabilities of states in the region, the coastal infrastructure, the scales and the manner of military exercises, as well as the dynamics of the military landscape in the Arctic. The authors argue that the military capabilities in most parts of the Arctic remain moderate, primarily due to harsh climate restraints. However, military activity both of NATO member-states and Russia has increased considerably recently in the Euro-Arctic area adjacent to the North Atlantic, in particular in the waters of the Barents and the Norwegian seas. Mutual military deterrence in this area represents a "new old" normal that will shape the security situation in the Arctic in the long term. The article concludes by considering possible options for preventing escalation and minimizing the concerns of the sides by restoring a full, regular and institutionalized military dialogue between Russia and the rest of the Arctic states.
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Статья научная
Being one of the strategically important regions for the development of the Russian Federation and a variety of aspects of its security, the Arctic represents a platform for defending the country’s national priorities. The nature of the policy pursued in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation determines the status of the state as an Arctic power. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the electoral preferences and to design the electoral model of the residents of the Russian Arctic in the gubernatorial elections in the period from 2013 to 2022. By means of multifactor comparative analysis using the clustering methodology, the author managed to determine such variables for the construction of the electoral model of a resident of the Russian Arctic zone as the level of electoral activity, voting for typical and atypical candidates and for the conditionally designated candidate “against all” as a marker of legitimate support for registered candidates and/or protest voting. The study revealed that, unlike the other federal subject’s voters, residents of the Russian Arctic take a more active part in the election of the head of the region, providing electoral support to the candidates of the “United Russia”, although in some cases atypical voting was observed, the percentage of which was insignificant. At the same time, the data obtained show that the number of invalid ballots is higher in the Arctic regions than in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Thus, the constructed model of electoral behavior of the resident of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in the implementation of regional policy in the region allows taking into account not only quantitative, but also qualitative parameters of electoral preferences of the Arctic residents to predict the results of future elections.
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National projects in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation
Статья научная
In 2021, the Russian Federation will assume the chairmanship of the Arctic Council. This fact confirms the special attention of the country’s leadership to the unique geostrategic region. In December 2020, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, at an online meeting with volunteers and finalists of the contest “Volunteer of Russia”, noted that Russia would grow with the Arctic and the territories of the North. Many Russian citizens’ lives and the state’s success in the international arena depend on this territory’s development. One of the most important mechanisms for achieving the stated goals is national projects (NP), which should make a significant contribution to the development of the country’s territory. The purpose of the study is to assess NP in the subjects that are entirely related to the Arctic zone: Murmansk region, Nenets Autonomous okrug (NAO), Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous okrug (YANAO), and Chukotka Autonomous okrug (CHAO). In the course of the work, general scientific research methods were applied: comparative analysis, data comparison, induction, deduction, etc. The study results showed that, despite all the differences in economic and geographical position, financial condition, population, and regional development priorities, all Arctic regions have similar problems that hinder the effective development of territories. Without solving the problems indicated in the work, it is impossible to expect a qualitative «breakthrough» and implement the NP’s goals.
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New risks and opportunities for interstate cooperation in the Arctic
Статья научная
Despite the growing tension in Russia-West relations, the Arctic region continues to remain a zone of peace and cooperation. The level of interstate collaboration here is extremely high, unlike other maritime regions. The interaction is developing in scientific research, protection of the marine environment and biodiversity, regulation of fisheries, improvement of search and rescue efforts, control of oil spills, and regulation of navigation. However, interstate competition has not disappeared in the Arctic. The countries participating in the maritime activities in the region often have completely different priorities and are firmly defending their national interests. Under sanctions’ pressure, the Russian Federation is forced to seek new partners and allies in the Arctic. This choice is extremely difficult since the coincidence of positions on one issue or another is often minimal. In order to defend its interests, Russia needs to achieve such a format of interaction with the Arctic and non-Arctic countries which would be extremely mutually beneficial and work for the good of our country, but not to its detriment.
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On the New US Military Strategy in the Arctic
Статья научная
The article discusses the new US military strategy in the Arctic, announced by the administration of J. Biden in July 2024. It replaced a similar document issued under D. Trump in 2019. The authors raise the question of what has changed in the approaches to Arctic security, given the sharp nature of the contradictions between Republicans and Democrats. The article demonstrates that, in general, the US Arctic military policy has maintained continuity; the only difference is the attempt of the Democrat administration to formulate more specific areas of activity to protect US security interests. In the text of the strategy, when assessing threats, China, not Russia, is placed in the first place in terms of importance. At the same time, the formulation of threats to US security in the region is too general and seems far-fetched. The main areas of implementation of the current US military strategy include measures to develop communication, command, control and intelligence systems; to improve military infrastructure; to strengthen the US and NATO military presence in the Nordic countries and to develop defense cooperation. In general, the strategy is confrontational in nature, especially since the US, having obtained geopolitical benefits after Finland and Sweden joined NATO, clearly intends to use them to gain unilateral advantages. However, there are limiting conditions that will prevent the US from fully realizing the plans of this strategy. The main threat to Russia’s security in the region is the constant military presence and build-up of US/NATO military infrastructure in close proximity to its Arctic borders, as well as Washington’s intention to implement the principle of “freedom of navigation” in the Arctic Ocean, including the Northern Sea Route.
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On the Outcomes and Lessons of Russia’s Chairmanship of the Arctic Council (2021–2023)
Статья научная
The article summarizes the results of Russia’s chairmanship in the Arctic Council (AC, Council) in 2021–2023, analyzes the relationship with the state national and international policy, and systematizes the key results. The authors identify four main periods of Russian chairmanship. The article presents general logical, theoretical, and empirical research methods. It is noted that due to the boycott of a number of Western countries because of the events in Ukraine, the Russian Federation focused its efforts in the Arctic direction on the northern territories of the country and was able to achieve certain successes. Russia has carried out most of the planned activities related to economic and social development, climate change, ecology, human capital, indigenous peoples’ activities, tourism, and prevention of emergency situations in the Arctic. The “Arctic Youth” direction well represented, and a large number of projects for youth events and career guidance were launched. The conclusion is made: during the 2-year period the government paid special attention to improving the functioning of the Northern Sea Route, socio-economic development of the Arctic regions of the Russian Federation, but due to the geopolitical situation Russia failed to fully realize its plans. The authors note that the course of the chairmanship was internally incomplete, especially during the recent periods. The remote transfer of the chairmanship of the Arctic Council to Norway raises many questions. It is hoped that the full status and composition of the AC will be restored. Russia still proceeds from the fact that the pressing problems of the Arctic region can be solved only through balanced and mutually beneficial international co-operation.
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Organizational mechanisms for implementing Russia's Arctic strategy in the 21st century
Статья научная
The Arctic in the 21st century remains a popular topic in the natural-scientific, economic, socio-humanitarian and political spheres. The relevance of studying the Arctic is determined by the fact that in recent decades, deep and irreversible transformations have taken place in this region, and a full understanding of the causes and consequences of which for the economy and environmental management has not yet developed. As a result of climate change and globalization, there is a growing interest in the Arctic macro-region on the part of many foreign countries that developed strategies and programs for the development of national Arctic zones at the beginning of the XXI century. Against the background of global competition for resources and transport communications, it seems relevant to analyze the features of the development of Russia's state policy for managing the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in the XXI century. The article analyzes the mechanisms of implementation of Russian state policy in the Arctic based on the strategic planning system and reveals the bottlenecks in the system of state management of the Arctic region. It is concluded that the core of Russia's policy in the Arctic is innovative modernization that can ensure sustainable socio-economic development, infrastructure development, rational use of natural resources, protection of local ecosystems and development of indigenous communities.
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Policy of the Republic of Korea in the Polar Regions in 2023–2033
Статья научная
This article reviews the current state of the Arctic policy of the Republic of Korea, which, like other states, has increased interest in the Arctic region in recent years, as well as its plan of activities in the Arctic and Antarctic for the coming years. The Republic of Korea needs to gradually develop an Arctic strategy at the government level to promote national interests in the Arctic region. The scientific significance of the article is related to the translation into Russian and analysis of the “Polar Activities Promotion Act for 2023-2027”, published in February 2023 by the Korean Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion. The article discusses the content and timing of the country’s 3 main polar policies: research and discovery, climate change forecasting, and polar development. In addition, 5 main strategies for promoting the Republic of Korea in the polar region are discussed, including: expanding the area of research of the territory, developing plans to solve environmental and climate problems, creating a polar industrial base, creating a network of cooperation with foreign countries and between industrial and scientific organizations within the country, developing an interstate dialogue on polar activities.
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Prevention and Resolution of Constitutional Conflicts in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation
Статья научная
Stable development and security of the Arctic zone of Russia demand effective resolution and prevention of conflicts. The purpose of this study is to determine the main parameters of the legal model for the prevention and resolution of conflicts, including the development of methodological foundations and the elaboration of the terminological field. The main research methods are legal modeling and special methods of conflict research conducted by general, legal and constitutional conflictology. The main conclusions of the study are that stable peace and civil harmony are the result of the processes of managing, preventing and resolving conflicts. The role of law is manifested in the fact that it not only resolves the conflict, but also performs an integrative, conciliatory and stimulating function. Due to the scale and public nature of the possible consequences, special attention should be paid to the prevention and resolution of constitutional conflicts, which predetermines the increasing role of constitutional law in ensuring peace in the Arctic zone. The results of the research indicate the presence of five interrelated levels, structural and direct conflict prevention should be carried out at every level. Conflict resolution is also a complex process, the methods and mechanisms of resolution need to be supplemented and adapted, taking into account the peculiarities of conflict in the Arctic zone. The author demonstrates the interrelation between the processes of socio-economic development and ensuring peace and civil harmony, presents recommendations for improving the existing legal model.
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Property and government interests of Russia under globalization: the Arctic case
Статья научная
Modern processes of the global property and governance formation are contradictory combined with the preservation and reproduction of economic interactions within the framework of individual States, regions and inter-state relations. The actualization of these processes in the Arctic region is due to its transformation into a place of focus and the most acute manifestation of the new contradictions between globalization and nation — state interests. The author concluded that the implementation of the Russian Arctic strategy is complicated by the uncertainty of prospects and the variation of possible vectors of the new globalization. The article substantiates the need for drastic measures to strengthen the Russian position in the Arctic due to the current strengthening of regionalization and fragmentation of the world economy. The geo-economic and geopolitical configuration of international cooperation in the Arctic may change in the near future due to the transition from of a unipolar to a multipolar model of the world order and the growing threats of a new hybrid cold war. It’s shown that the contradictions between the Arctic powers are complicated against the background of the desire of the non-Arctic countries to participate in the exploitation of the region's resources. The author reveals the issues related to the search of the optimal balance between the objective imperatives of globalization and the protection of nation — state and regional interests of Russia as the largest Arctic power.
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Prospects of cooperation between Russia and North-East Asian countries in the Arctic region
Статья научная
Significant increase in global attention to the Arctic, as well as the intensive development of technologies for its study, makes the cooperation between various countries increasingly important. The article discusses the history and current interaction in the Arctic region between Russia (and its predecessor, the USSR) with North-East Asia (NEA) — China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The author noted the increasing scientific and practical interest of the NEA countries to study the Arctic, analyzed it and main aspirations of these countries to cooperate with Russia. Also, the author reviewed the most significant internal laws and regulations governing their activities in the Arctic. It was concluded that the high prospects for cooperation between the countries of Northeast Asia and Russia occur. Main directions of possible interaction in the region are presented in the article along with the highlighted unique position of the Russian Far East as one of the critical links.
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Статья научная
The article analyzes the experience of public participation in the planning of a comfortable urban environment. The forms of public involvement in the formation of a comfortable urban environment and their implementation are considered on the example of the Arkhangelsk region. The method of complex analysis of the theory and practice of public communications helps the article to present a qualitative assessment of public involvement in the improvement of the urban environment. It is shown that the existing methods of interaction between the authorities and citizens represent a one-sided process and often they are reduced to the formal fulfillment of legal requirements by municipalities. To improve the efficiency of public participation, the authors propose to develop a communicative model of urban space management based on constant interaction between municipal authorities and citizens. This model will allow establishing a dialogue between all stakeholders, which will ultimately lead to the successful implementation of the urban environmental program and improve the quality of life of citizens.
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Relevant aspects of international legal regulation of the Arctic shipping
Статья научная
The critical aspects of the international legal regulation of shipping in the Arctic discussed on the international Arctic agenda are analyzed. The authors examine the specifics of the Northern Sea Route legal status from the perspective of the leading role of the Arctic coastal states and the possibilities for countries to specify at the national and regional levels the universal norms of international maritime law at the national and regional levels. The authors devoted much attention to the study of the UNCLOS 1982, Art. 234, which gives coastal states the right to adopt national laws and regulations to control pollution of the marine environment in ice-covered areas within exclusive economic zones. The article is one of the leading international legal grounds for the Russia's establishment of control over the NSR shipping. The Polar Code, entered into force in 2017, is examined separately. The article also presents expert opinions on navigation forecasts in the Arctic region.
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Russia and India in the Arctic: a case for greater synergy
Статья научная
The article studies the cooperation between Russia and India with specific reference to the Arctic region. The melting of the Arctic sea ice has seen tremendous investment by Russia in the Arctic. It has sought strategic partners for the development of the Arctic, with the primary focus being on the development of the oil and gas industry and the Northern Sea Route. Russia and India have had long-standing diplomatic relations. It has been in diverse spheres such as space, atomic energy, defense, oil and gas, diamond industry, steel industry being just a few ones. Russia’s focus on the Arctic ushers in many more opportunities for Russia and India to cooperate. India is one of the few countries to which Russia has accorded many investment opportunities in oil and gas and the diamond industry. India has made some investments in the oil and gas industry of the Russian Arctic. However, the article highlights that the energy deficit in India is dangerous, and it affects the development of the country. The article suggests more significant Indian investment in the Arctic, including phase II of the Yamal LNG project. It brings out a need for greater cooperation in scientific research, specifically climate change and hydrography, and possible utilization of the immense technically qualified human resource that India has in diverse areas of the Arctic. It is relevant for diplomats, civil servants, oil and gas companies, strategic mineral companies, hydrographic authorities, and researchers in both countries involved in developing the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route. The article may be of interest for relevant courses and programs at universities.
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Science Diplomacy in the Arctic and Antarctic
Статья научная
The article studies the phenomenon of science diplomacy with regard to the Arctic and Antarctic. These two polar regions are similar because of high importance of international scientific activity and science diplomacy based on it. Science diplomacy is understood as a kind of synthesis of scientific and political-diplomatic activities, in which state and non-state actors can take part. The conditions for science diplomacy in the Arctic and Antarctic are very different due to the history of development, legal status and established practice of international relations in these regions. The challenges faced by international scientific activity and science diplomacy in the two regions are considered. It is shown that in the Arctic and Antarctic, science diplomacy as a political tool is objectively in demand and cannot be “cancelled” due to the political context. In the current situation, science diplomacy can contribute to de-escalation of the conflict in relations between Russia and the West. At the same time, science diplomacy is not a panacea for creating international relations based on the principles of peace and cooperation. Like any political instrument, it protects national interests and not only serves to solve global problems arising in the Arctic and Antarctic.
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Svalbard in the context of Arctic security
Статья научная
The article studies Svalbard’s role in the Arctic security agenda, the history of the implementation of the Paris Treaty 1920 with the emphasis on its security provisions, as well as the risks of engaging Svalbard in a military conflict in the region. Despite the demilitarized status of Svalbard, the evaluation of its role in the hard security situation in the Arctic is hampered by several factors. First, Norway sticks to a narrow interpretation of the Treaty 1920 provision that bans any use of the archipelago for warlike purposes. Norway does not consider such actions as the entry of military ships in Svalbard’s ports, overfly of military aircraft, and some other, contradicting with the Russian position, a violation of the Treaty. Second, the development of technologies, particularly of “dual” use, has posed the question of whether the application of some objects situated on Svalbard by the militaries - primarily the stations of space monitoring - are legitimate. Third, as the political uncertainty in the Arctic rises, Svalbard has been more often involved in the worst-case scenarios for the region - as a place vitally important for Russia and simultaneously representing potential vulnerability for NATO. At the same time, the author argues that the threat of a military conflict over Svalbard is minimal. The international Svalbard agenda is dominated by economic issues, whereas the stakeholders stay aware of the significant risks in case of a military conflict on Svalbard.
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Swedish chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic council 2017-2019: key results and achievements
Статья научная
The Barents Euro-Arctic Region is an integration of states and their administrative divisions, markedly different in terms of population living standards, but with a particular affinity that affords firm ground to consider the region as a separate geopolitical, economic, social and cultural macroregion. The article refers to the practical achievements of the national chairmanship of the Russian Federation in the Council of the Barents Euro-Arctic region; important aspects of the functioning of BEAR as a platform for strengthening of mutual trust and stability, respect for human rights, democratic values and gender equality, support for indigenous peoples, achievements in the fields of trade and economic cooperation, environmental protection, developments in the field of health care, tourism, industrial production, effective international transport links, urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The article concentrates on the analysis of key results and achievements of Swedish chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (October 19, 2017 - October 3, 2019), evaluating the current status and prospects for further international cooperation within the framework of the BEAR.
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System problems and directions of municipal development of the Russian Arctic
Статья научная
The subject of the study is the municipalities of the Arctic, their specifics of functioning and development in comparison with the southern regions of the Arctic states. The purpose of the work was to identify problem areas of regional development that affects the socio-economic situation of the Arctic municipalities, prospects, and directions of their development. The theoretical and methodological basis consisted of the works of Russian and foreign scientists on regulating and stimulating the socio-economic development of the territories and municipalities of the Arctic. The study grounds on an integrated approach to the functioning and development of municipalities in the specific conditions of the Arctic, as well as general and specific factors for the growth in the Russian Arctic, considering international research. An analysis of the leading indicators of the socio-economic situation of the Arctic territories showed several common problems for the development of municipalities. The main forces of state regulation should be aimed at solving the issues of human development, social and transport infrastructure and require the approval and state support of the Arctic territories. Government policies to minimize negative processes and factors for the municipalities of the Russian Arctic should base on international experience. Authorities and management can use the results of the study for the development of fiscal, tax, investment policy, programs, and plans for the socio-economic development of the Arctic territories.
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