International involvement, autonomy and sustainable development in the Arctic

• Published in: Polar Record
• Main Author: Lyck, Lise
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1990
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Ecology; Geography, Planning and Development; Arctic; Polar Record
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247400011827; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247400011827

Abstract Five phases of international involvement in the Arctic are identified. The importance of analyzing internationalization development as a continuous process, instead of as separate periods replacing each other, is set into focus. Core problems of attaining autonomy in the Arctic are identified and related to southern-based strategies. Sustainable development, here analyzed, requires an identity to be developed among people as well as an integrated economy. Lack of identity and persistence of a non-integrated economy are often characteristic of Arctic areas. Greenland's development, analyzed within this theoretical framework. is hampered by a non-integrated economy, which must be changed soon if sustainable development is to be realized by the end of the century.