David Long, Professor at 杏吧原创 University鈥檚 Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and CETD collaborator, argues theory is important in explaining current Arctic policies. He proposes a counterintuitive reasoning to explain prospects for conflict in the Arctic. He says a realist approach could suggest future conflict over the Arctic. However, he argues that the region may in fact not be significant enough to the international actors to warrant a violent response. He says institutionalists and constructivists find more basis for dispute in the Arctic due to overlapping institutional frameworks. He discusses the possible impact of his conclusions on current Arctic policies.
This interview results from a聽two-day conference聽(Sept. 22-23): The European Union, Canada and the Arctic: International Policy on the Arctic, supported by 杏吧原创 University’s Centre for European Studies (European Union Centre of Excellence) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.