Security of the Global Arctic in Transformation ::Potential for Changes in Problem Definition

• Main Author: Heininen, Lassi Kalevi
• Other Authors: Heininen, Lassi
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: Palgrave Macmillan 2016
• Subjects: Security; State Policy; Economics; the Arctic; Global; /dk/atira/pure/person/fieldofscience2010/5/17/2; name=International political science; Arctic; Climate change
• Online Access: https://research.ulapland.fi/fi/publications/803a8571-44dc-4336-9fe9-3ed6e6aea1d0

In security studies there are discourses, and based on them different concepts of security, as well as defined premises and paradigms of security, as well as discussion on who are subjects of security. When it comes to security of the Arctic region, or the entire North, there are different stages and special features, and a transformation from military to environmental security. Finally, there are also different methods to describe, analyze and (re)define a state of security and its changes nationally, regionally, world-wide, or based on alliances. This chapter opens with a brief theoretical discussion on who are subjects of security, how security is (re)defined, and if climate change would cause a change in problem definition on security. It summarizes different stages and special features of Arctic security, as well as major changes there, and discusses on the dualism of the global - Arctic relationship: the Arctic faces more complicated challenges than regional conflicts, and the globalized Arctic has implications worldwide. Finally, based on this dualism, and defining climate change as a security factor, the chapter argues on an importance for an alternative way to redefine Arctic security and cause a paradigm shift.