Neoliberal governance, sustainable development and local communities in the Barents Region

• Main Authors: Monica Tennberg, Joonas Vola, Aileen A. Espiritu, Bjarge Schwenke Fors, Thomas Ejdemo, Larissa Riabova, Elena Korchak, Elena Tonkova, Tatiana Nosova
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Lapland 2014
• Subjects: Barents Region; local communities; neoliberal governance; sustainable development; community development; Geography. Anthropology. Recreation; G; Norway; barents region; Northwest Russia
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/f410dc89833a41d89dd9483355f74b3c

There are currently high hopes in the Barents Region for economic growth, higher employment and improved well-being, encouraged by developments in the energy industry, tourism and mining. The article discusses these prospects from the perspective of local communities in five locations in the region, which spans the northernmost counties of Finland, Norway, Sweden and Northwest Russia. The communities studied are remote, relatively small, multicultural, and dependent on natural resources. The salient dynamic illuminated in the research is how ideas of sustainability and neoliberal governance meet in community development. While the two governmentalities often conflict, they sometimes also complement one another, posing a paradox that raises concerns over the social aspect of sustainable development in particular. The article is based on international, multidisciplinary research drawing on interviews as well as statistical and documentary analysis.