The Evolving Arctic in the World-System

• Published in: Journal of World-Systems Research
• Main Author: Zachary Lavengood
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 2021
• Subjects: Arctic; Climate Change; Shipping; Resources; Political science; J; Social Sciences; H; Climate change
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5195/jwsr.2021.1042; https://doaj.org/article/265dba1f97de49f2b358c70eb89d603b

Global climate change’s continuing effect on the Arctic has brought about a fundamental shift in the region’s identity as it becomes an ever more active area in the world-system. Economic opportunities such as new shipping routes and a bounty of natural resources that were hitherto ice-locked are becoming accessible as the pace of climate change quickens, garnering increasing attention from actors around the world-system. This article explores the new geopolitical and economic realities of the Arctic through the lens of world-system analysis by examining the region’s budding role in the world-economy and emerging economic opportunities, its unique core-peripheral nature, and its potential to spark a regional hegemonic rivalry between NATO and a Sino-Russian partnership. This article aims introduce the evolving Arctic to world-systems studies and promote further research on the region using the theoretical framework.