Geopolitics of a Changing Arctic. How do Russia, China and the United States Conceptualise the Changing Arctic?

Fiona Kramer

• Publisher: GRIN Verlag
• Year: 2024
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9783389079096
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: International Relations
• Index: Politics & International Relations

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2023 in the subject Politics - Topic: International relations, grade: 1,3, University of Erfurt (Staatswissenschaftliche Fakultät), course: Bachelorarbeit, language: English, abstract: This bachelorthesis examines the Arctic strategies of Russia, China and the USA. The three subjects of this study- China, Russia, and the United States have different degrees of 'material' interest in the Arctic, which is rooted in tangible assets like oil, gas, and ice- free shipping routes. Among them, China is a relatively recent participant in Arctic affairs, whereas Russia and the United States hold prominent positions as influential players in the High North. Over 60% of the Arctic landmass lies within their national borders. While some of these interests can be quantified, they also involve intricate and qualitative questions related to identity and the perception of other actors. Though, one thing connects all three states: All have updated or published their first national Arctic strategy in the last 5 years detailing their Arctic ambitions for the future. This indicates that the changing Arctic is responsible for a changed perception of the Arctic region, which is worth exploring. The exploration of this assumption through a qualitative content analysis provides useful insights, allowing me to understand better how these states perceive the Arctic as a geographical space, themselves and other actors. This, in turn, creates a more meaningful picture of the Arctic political discourse, shedding light on the perception each country creates about itself, which may help us to understand why countries behave the way they do and even possibly predict how they might behave in the future.